U.S. patent application number 16/595841 was filed with the patent office on 2020-02-06 for implant delivery devices, systems, and methods.
The applicant listed for this patent is Oculeve, Inc.. Invention is credited to Douglas Michael Ackermann, Janusz Kuzma, Christopher William Stivers.
Application Number | 20200038238 16/595841 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51531281 |
Filed Date | 2020-02-06 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200038238 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kuzma; Janusz ; et
al. |
February 6, 2020 |
IMPLANT DELIVERY DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS
Abstract
Described here are systems, devices, and methods for delivering
an implant to the orbit. In some instances, the systems may
comprise a delivery device having a tongue member and a handle. The
delivery device may further include an ejector configured to
deliver an implant from the tongue member. The delivery device may
also include a piercing member configured to create an opening in
tissue. The systems may further comprise a piercing member for
creating an opening in tissue. In some instances, the piercing
member may have a first blade member rotatably connected to a
second blade member.
Inventors: |
Kuzma; Janusz; (Bayview,
AU) ; Ackermann; Douglas Michael; (Reno, NV) ;
Stivers; Christopher William; (San Francisco, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Oculeve, Inc. |
San Francisco |
CA |
US |
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|
Family ID: |
51531281 |
Appl. No.: |
16/595841 |
Filed: |
October 8, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15649364 |
Jul 13, 2017 |
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16595841 |
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14207072 |
Mar 12, 2014 |
9717627 |
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15649364 |
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61943921 |
Feb 24, 2014 |
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61778230 |
Mar 12, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 9/0017 20130101;
A61F 2/141 20130101; A61F 2/14 20130101; A61M 31/007 20130101; A61F
2/1662 20130101; A61M 2210/0612 20130101; A61F 9/007 20130101; A61F
2/148 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61F 9/007 20060101
A61F009/007; A61F 9/00 20060101 A61F009/00 |
Claims
1-31. (canceled)
32. A method for delivering an implant to an orbit, comprising:
piercing, by a piercing member of a delivery device, the
conjunctiva of the orbit to form an opening therein; advancing a
tongue member of the delivery device through the opening to form a
pocket beyond the conjunctiva; and delivering, from the tongue
member, the implant into the pocket.
33. The method of claim 32, wherein the piercing member comprises a
piercing tip and the tongue member comprises a tongue member
tip.
34. The method of claim 33, wherein the piercing further comprises:
retracting a control slider of the delivery device, thereby causing
the piercing member to move between a retracted configuration in
which the piercing tip does not extend beyond the tongue member tip
and a piercing configuration in which the piercing tip extends
beyond the tongue member tip.
35. The method of claim 33, wherein the method further comprises:
moving the piercing member between a piercing configuration in
which the piercing tip extends beyond the tongue member tip and a
retracted configuration in which the piercing tip does not extend
beyond the tongue member tip.
36. The method of claim 33, wherein the advancing comprises:
advancing the tongue member with the piercing member in a retracted
configuration in which the piercing tip does not extend beyond the
tip of the tongue member.
37. The method of claim 32, wherein the delivery device further
comprises: a handle; a control slider; and a pusher slidably
attached to the tongue member.
38. The method of claim 37, wherein the delivering further
comprises: advancing the control slider relative to the handle to
thereby advance the pusher relative to the tongue member and
deliver the implant into the pocket.
39. The method of claim 38, further comprising: withdrawing the
control slider relative to the handle to thereby withdraw the
pusher relative to the tongue member.
40. The method of claim 32, further comprising: dilating the
opening.
41. The method of claim 40, wherein dilating the opening comprises
dilating the opening with the delivery device.
42. A method for delivering an implant to the conjunctiva of a
patient, comprising: forming, by a piercing member of a delivery
device, an opening in the conjunctiva of the patient; forming, by a
tongue member of the delivery device, a pocket beyond the
conjunctiva; and delivering, from the tongue member of the delivery
device, the implant into the pocket.
43. The method of claim 42, wherein the piercing member comprises a
piercing tip and the tongue member comprises a tongue member
tip.
44. The method of claim 43, wherein the method further comprises:
retracting a control slider of the delivery device, thereby causing
the piercing member to move between a retracted configuration in
which the piercing tip does not extend beyond the tongue member tip
and a piercing configuration in which the piercing tip extends
beyond the tongue member tip.
45. The method of claim 43, wherein the method further comprises:
moving the piercing member between a piercing configuration in
which the piercing tip extends beyond the tongue member tip and a
retracted configuration in which the piercing tip does not extend
beyond the tongue member tip.
46. The method of claim 43, wherein the delivering comprises:
advancing the tongue member with the piercing member in a retracted
configuration in which the piercing tip does not extend beyond the
tip of the tongue member.
47. The method of claim 42, wherein the delivery device further
comprises: a handle; a control slider; and a pusher slidably
attached to the tongue member.
48. The method of claim 47, wherein the delivering further
comprises: advancing the control slider relative to the handle to
thereby advance the pusher relative to the tongue member and
deliver the implant into the pocket.
49. The method of claim 48, further comprising: withdrawing the
control slider relative to the handle to thereby withdraw the
pusher relative to the tongue member.
50. The method of claim 42, further comprising dilating the
opening.
51. The method of claim 50, wherein dilating the opening comprises
dilating the opening with the delivery device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 15/649,364, filed Jul. 13, 2017, and titled "IMPLANT
DELIVERY DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS," which is a divisional of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/207,072, filed Mar. 12, 2014,
issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,717,627, and titled "IMPLANT DELIVERY
DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS," which claims priority to U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/778,230, filed Mar. 12,
2013 and titled "IMPLANT DELIVERY DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS"
and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/943,921,
filed Feb. 24, 2014 and titled "IMPLANT DELIVERY DEVICES, SYSTEMS,
AND METHODS," the contents of each of which are hereby incorporated
in their entirety.
FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to systems, devices,
and methods for delivering an implant to a portion of the anatomy
such as the orbit.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Treatment methods for ocular conditions such as dry eye may
require delivery of an implant or other device to the orbit of a
patient. The orbit is a cavity of the skull that houses the eyeball
and its nerves, muscles, and other appendages. The presence of
these anatomical structures within the orbit, which in some
instances may be easily damaged, can provide a limited working
space for delivery of implants. Accordingly, it may be desirable to
provide one or more devices which may facilitate delivery of one or
more implants to the orbit.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0004] Described here are systems, devices, and methods for
delivering an implant to the orbit. In some variations, the devices
described here may comprise a handle and a tongue member extending
from a distal portion of the handle. In some variations, the
devices may further comprise an ejector. In some of these
variations, the ejector may comprise a control slider slidably
attached to the handle, a pusher slidably attached to the tongue
member, and a linkage connecting the control slider and the pusher.
In these variations, advancement of the control slider relative to
the handle may advance the pusher relative to the tongue member,
and withdrawal of the control slider relative to the handle may
withdraw the pusher relative to the tongue member. In some of these
variations, the tongue member may be curved, and in some variations
may comprise a tapered tip. Additionally or alternatively, the
tongue member may comprise one or more depth stops positioned along
a length of the tongue member. In some of these variations, the one
or more depth stops comprises one or more projections or
protrusions. In others of these variations, the one or more depth
stops comprises one or more notches. In still other variations, the
one or more depth stops comprises one or more markers.
[0005] In some variations, the devices described here may comprise
a piercing member having a piercing tip. In some variations, the
piercing member may be moveable between a piercing configuration in
which the piercing tip extends beyond a tip of the tongue member
and a retracted configuration in which the piercing tip does not
extend beyond a tip of the tongue member. In some variations, the
piercing member may be biased toward the retracted configuration.
Additionally or alternatively, in variations of the devices
described here comprising a control slider, the control slider may
be configured to move the piercing member from the retracted
configuration to the piercing configuration. In some of these
variations, control slider may be configured to move the piercing
member from the retracted configuration to the piercing
configuration during withdrawal of the control slider.
[0006] In some variations, the devices described here may further
comprise a rocker, wherein the rocker is rotatably connected to the
handle, wherein the device is configured such that rotation of the
rocker in a first direction to a first position moves the piercing
member to the piercing configuration, and wherein rotation of the
rocker in a second direction opposite the first direction to a
second position moves the piercing member to the retracted
configuration. In some of these variations, the rocker may be
biased toward the second position. In variations where the device
comprises a control slider, the control slider may be configured to
rotate the rocker in the first direction. In some of these
variations, the control slider may comprise a button, wherein
depression of the button rotates the rocker in the first direction.
In some of these variations, the control slider may be slidable
along the handle between a retracted position and an advanced
position, and the handle may configured to allow depression of the
button when the control slider is in the retracted position and to
prevent depression of the button when the control slider is in the
advanced position.
[0007] In some variations of the systems described here, the system
may comprise an implant, and a delivery device comprising a handle,
a tongue member extending from the handle, and an ejector. In these
variations, the implant may be releasably and slidably connected to
the tongue member, and the ejector may advance the implant relative
to the tongue member to release the implant from the tongue member.
In some of these variations, the system further comprises a
piercing device, wherein the piercing device comprises a first
blade member pivotally attached to a second blade member. In other
variations, the delivery device may further comprises a piercing
member moveable between a piercing configuration in which the
piercing tip extends beyond a tip of the tongue member and a
retracted configuration in which the piercing tip does not extend
beyond a tip of the tongue member.
[0008] In other variations of the devices described here, the
devices may comprise a first blade member and a second blade member
pivotally connected to the first blade member, each comprising a
tip, an inner edge, an outer edge, and a notch positioned along the
outer edge. The device may further comprise a first grip connected
to the first blade member and a second grip connected to the second
blade member. Rotation of the first and second grip may rotate the
first and second blade members between a first configuration in
which the tip of the first blade member coincides with the tip of
the second blade member to form a point, and a second configuration
in which the tip of the first blade member is spaced apart from the
tip of the second blade. In some of these variations, a distance
between the notch of the first blade member and the notch of the
second blade member in the first configuration is less than a
distance between the notch of the first blade member and the notch
of the second blade member in the second configuration. In some
variations, the device may further comprise a spring member biasing
the first grip away from the second grip. Additionally or
alternatively, the device may further comprise a range-limiting
element configured to limit the amount that the first grip may
rotate away from the second grip. Additionally or alternatively,
the device may further comprise a range-limiting element configured
to limit the amount that the first grip may rotate toward the
second grip.
[0009] Also described here are methods for delivering an implant
into an orbit. In some variations, the methods may comprise
piercing the conjunctiva to form an opening therein, advancing a
tongue member of a delivery device through the opening to form a
pocket between tissues beyond the opening, and delivering an
implant from the tongue member into the pocket. In some variations,
the method may further comprise dilating the opening. In some of
these variations, piercing the conjunctiva and dilating the opening
may comprise piercing the conjunctiva and dilating the opening with
a piercing device. In others of these variations, piercing the
conjunctiva and dilating the opening may comprise piercing the
conjunctiva and dilating the opening with the delivery device. In
some of these variations, the delivery device may comprise a
piercing member moveable between a piercing configuration in which
a piercing tip of the piercing member extends beyond a tip of the
tongue member and a retracted configuration in which the piercing
tip does not extend beyond a tip of the tongue member. In some of
these variations, piercing the conjunctiva may comprise piercing
the conjunctiva with the piercing tip of the piercing member.
Additionally or alternatively, advancing the tongue member may
comprise advancing the tongue member with the piercing member in
the retracted configuration.
[0010] In other variations of the systems described here, the
system may comprise a delivery device. The delivery device may
comprise a cannula defining a channel extending between an inlet
and an outlet, the cannula comprising a blade. The delivery device
may further comprise a tongue slidably connected to the cannula and
positioned to extend at least partially through the channel, and a
plunger slidably connected to the cannula and positioned to extend
at least partially through the channel. The cannula may comprise a
top wall, wherein the top wall comprises a slot extending at least
partially along the channel. In some of these variations, the
plunger may be positioned between the tongue and the top wall. In
some variations, the plunger comprises a plunger portion, a stopper
portion, and a transition region connecting the stopper portion and
the plunger portion. The plunger may be positioned such that the
plunger portion of the plunger is positioned at least partially
inside the channel, the stopper portion is positioned outside of
the channel, and the transition region extends through the slot of
the top wall. In some of these variations, a distal end of the
stopper portion may extend distally of a distal end of the
transition region to define a space between a distal portion of the
stopper portion and the plunger portion. In some of these
variations, the cannula may comprise a stop bar having an aperture
therethrough, and the distal portion of the stopper portion may be
sized to fit through the aperture of the stop bar. In some
variations, the stop bar is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of
the cannula. In other variations, the stop bar may be positioned an
angle clockwise of the longitudinal axis, wherein the angle is less
than 90 degrees. In still other variations, the stop bar may be
positioned an angle clockwise of the longitudinal axis, wherein the
angle is greater than 90 degrees. In some variations where a top
wall of the cannula comprises a slot, the slot may comprise a
proximal segment, a distal segment, and an intermediate segment
positioned between the proximal segment and the distal segment. In
some of these variations, the intermediate segment may have a width
greater than or equal to a width of the implant, and the distal
segment may have a width less than the width of the implant.
[0011] In some variations, the tongue may be moveable between a
retracted position in which a distal end of the tongue is
positioned in the channel and an advanced position in which a
distal end of the tongue is positioned distally of the outlet of
the channel. In some of these variations, the tongue may comprise a
handle, wherein the handle is sized to be prevented from entering
the inlet, and wherein the handle of the tongue contacts the inlet
when the tongue is in the advanced position. In some of these
variations, the distal end of the tongue is positioned distal to a
distal end of the blade when the tongue is in the advanced
position. Additionally or alternatively, the plunger may comprise a
handle, and the plunger and tongue may be positioned such that the
handle of the tongue is prevented from being withdrawn proximally
of the handle of the plunger.
[0012] In some variations, the plunger may be moveable between a
retracted position in which a distal end of the plunger is
positioned in the channel and an advanced position in which a
distal end of the plunger is positioned distally of the outlet of
the channel. In some of these variations, the delivery device
further comprises an intermediate stop positioned to temporarily
prevent advancement from the retracted position to the advanced
position. In some of these variations, the intermediate stop may
comprise a bumper plate moveable between a lowered position and a
raised position, wherein the bumper plate prevents advancement of
the plunger to the advanced position when the bumper plate is in
the lowered position and wherein the bumper plate does not prevent
advancement of the plunger to the advanced position when the bumper
plate is in the raised position. In some of these variations, the
delivery device comprises on or more springs connecting the bumper
plate to the cannula. In some of these variations, the one or more
springs bias the bumper plate toward the raised position.
Additionally or alternatively, the bumper plate may comprise an
extension positioned to extend into the channel through the slot of
the top wall when the bumper plate is in the lowered position. In
some variations, the delivery device may further comprise a release
bracket, wherein the release bracket is positioned to releasably
hold the bumper plate in the lowered position. In some variations,
the system may comprise a biasing member connected to the cannula,
wherein the biasing member has a first end connected to a bottom
wall of the channel and a free end biased toward a top wall of the
channel. In some variations, the system may further comprise an
implant.
[0013] In some variations, the methods described here may comprise
piercing tissue with a blade of a cannula of a delivery device to
form a tissue opening, advancing a tongue through a channel of the
cannula to advance a distal end of the tongue out of an outlet of
the channel and through the tissue opening, and advancing a plunger
through the channel of the cannula to advance the implant out of
the outlet of the channel and through the tissue opening to deliver
the implant to a pocket formed between tissue beyond the tissue
opening. In some of these variations, the cannula may comprise a
top wall, wherein the top wall comprises a slot extending at least
partially along the channel. In some of these variations, advancing
the plunger may comprise advancing the plunger between the tongue
and the top wall. In some of these variations, the plunger may
comprise a plunger portion, a stopper portion, and a transition
region connecting the stopper portion and the plunger portion, and
advancing the plunger may comprise advancing the plunger with the
plunger portion of the plunger is positioned at least partially
inside the channel, the stopper portion positioned outside of the
channel, and the transition region extending through the slot of
the top wall. In some of these variations, a distal end of the
stopper portion may extend distally of a distal end of the
transition region to define a space between a distal portion of the
stopper portion and the plunger portion. In these variations,
advancing the plunger may comprise advancing the plunger such that
a distal end of the stopper portion as advanced distally of a
distal end of the slot of the top wall. In some of these variations
the cannula comprises a stop bar having an aperture therethrough,
and advancing the plunger comprises advancing the distal portion of
the stopper portion through the aperture of the stop bar.
[0014] In some variations where a top wall of a cannula comprises a
slot, the slot comprises a proximal segment, a distal segment, and
an intermediate segment positioned between the proximal segment and
the distal segment. In some of these variations, the intermediate
segment has a width greater than or equal to a width of the
implant, and the method further comprises inserting the implant
into the channel through the intermediate segment. In some
variations, advancing the tongue comprises advancing the tongue
from a retracted position in which the distal end of the tongue is
positioned in the channel. In some of these variations, the tongue
comprises a handle, wherein the handle is sized to be prevented
from entering the inlet, and advancing the tongue comprises
advancing the tongue until the handle of the tongue contacts the
inlet. In some of these variations, the distal end of the tongue is
positioned distal to a distal end of the blade when the handle of
the tongue contacts the inlet. In some of these variations, the
plunger comprises a handle, and the plunger and tongue are
positioned such that the handle of the tongue is prevented from
being withdrawn proximally of the handle of the plunger.
[0015] In some variations, advancing the plunger comprises
advancing the plunger from a retracted position in which the distal
end of the tongue is positioned in the channel. In some of these
variations, the method may further comprise advancing the plunger
to an intermediate position, wherein an intermediate stop is
positioned to temporarily prevent further advancement of the
plunger. In some of these variations, the intermediate stop
comprises a bumper plate moveable, and the method further comprises
raising the bumper plate from a lowered position to a raised
position to allow further advancement of the plunger. In some of
these variations, the delivery device comprises on or more springs
connecting the bumper plate to the cannula. The one or more springs
may bias the bumper plate toward the raised position. Additionally
or alternatively, the bumper plate comprises an extension
positioned to extend into the channel through the slot of the top
wall when the bumper plate is in the lowered position. Additionally
or alternatively, the delivery device further comprises a release
bracket. The release bracket may be positioned to releasably hold
the bumper plate in the lowered position, and raising the bumper
plate from a lowered position to a raised position may comprise
deflecting the release bracket.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1A depicts a perspective view of an illustrative
variation of one of the delivery devices described here. FIG. 1B
shows a side view of a distal portion of the delivery device of
FIG. 1A. FIGS. 1C-1E show perspective views of a distal portion of
the delivery device of FIG. 1A. FIG. 1F shows a top view of a
distal portion of the delivery device of FIG. 1A. FIGS. 1G and 1H
show cross-sectional side views a distal portion of the delivery
device of FIG. 1A.
[0017] FIG. 2A depicts a perspective view of an illustrative
variation of one of the delivery devices described here. FIGS. 2B
and 2C depict side and perspective views, respectively, of the
delivery device of FIG. 2A. FIGS. 2D and 2E show cross-sectional
side views a distal portion of the delivery device of FIG. 2A.
[0018] FIGS. 3A and 3B depict a variation of a piercing device
suitable for use with the systems described here.
[0019] FIGS. 4A-4D depict an illustration variation of one of the
methods described here.
[0020] FIG. 5A depicts a perspective view of a lacrimal apparatus.
FIGS. 5B and 5C depict front views of the anatomy of the skull.
[0021] FIG. 6A depicts a perspective view of an illustrative
variation of one of the delivery devices described here. FIG. 6B
shows a side view of a distal portion of the delivery device of
FIG. 6A.
[0022] FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of a variation of a
delivery system as described here.
[0023] FIGS. 8A-8C depict perspective, top, and side views,
respectively, of a variation of a cannula suitable for use with the
delivery system of FIG. 7.
[0024] FIGS. 9 and 10 show side views of variations of plungers
suitable for use with the delivery system of FIG. 7.
[0025] FIGS. 11A-11I depict an illustrative method by which the
delivery system of FIG. 7 may be used to deliver an implant.
[0026] FIGS. 12A-12D depict perspective, side, top, and front
views, respectively of a variation of a delivery device as
described here. FIGS. 12E and 12F depict perspective views and
FIGS. 12G and 12H depict side views of the delivery device of FIGS.
12A-12D. FIG. 12I depicts a top view of the cannula of the delivery
device of FIGS. 12A-12H.
[0027] FIGS. 13A and 13B depict rear perspective views and FIGS.
13C and 13D depict front perspective views of a variation the
cannula of the delivery device of FIGS. 12A-12I having a bumper
plate.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] Described here are systems, devices, and methods for
delivery of an implant into the orbit. Generally, the systems and
devices may be configured to deliver one or more implants into
tissue within the orbit (e.g., between the eyeball and the bones
forming the orbit). Generally, the systems and devices described
here may be used to form an opening in a tissue, such as the
conjunctiva, to separate tissue beyond the opening to form a pocket
in the tissue, and to deliver an implant into the pocket. The
systems described here may include one or more devices configured
to perform these steps. In some instances, the systems include a
single device that performs all of the steps. In other instances,
the system may include multiple devices which collectively perform
these steps. The devices described here may be sterilizable (and in
some instances, resterilizable), and may or may not be disposable
(or partially disposable). Examples of these devices, systems, and
methods will be described in more detail below.
[0029] The systems, devices, and methods described here may be used
to deliver any suitable implant or implants. In some variations,
the implant may include a stimulation device or one or more
components thereof. The stimulation device may be configured to
provide stimulation therapy to one or more target tissues. In some
instances, the stimulation device may be configured to excite or
activate an anatomic structure (e.g., the lacrimal gland).
Additionally or alternatively, the stimulation device may be
configured to inhibit activity of anatomic structure (e.g., one or
more pain-transmitting nerves). The systems, devices, and methods
may be configured to deliver the entire stimulation device, or may
be configured to deliver one or more components thereof (e.g., one
or more electrode-bearing leads). In some variations, the
stimulation device may be any device such as described in U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 13/441,806, titled "STIMULATION DEVICES
AND METHODS" and filed on Apr. 6, 2012, which is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0030] Additionally or alternatively, the implant may include one
or more drug-releasing devices or substances. In variations where
the implant includes a stimulation device, the stimulation device
may be configured to elute or otherwise release one or more drugs.
In other variations, the implant may include an implantable pump
which is configured to dispense one or more drug-containing
substances. In yet other variations, the implant may include one or
more drug-releasing depots (e.g., a solid or gel-like depot, which
may or may not be formed from a polymer) and/or one or more
drug-releasing liquids or gases. Additionally or alternatively the
implant may comprise an orthopedic support (e.g., a wedge, shim, or
the like) which is configured to provide structural support to
surrounding tissue. In still other variations, the implant may
comprise one or more mesh implants, retinal detachment treatment
methods, or the like.
[0031] When the systems, devices, and methods described here are
used to deliver an implant or implants to the orbit, the implants
or implants may be delivered to any suitable portion of the orbit,
such as, for example, the upper orbit, the lower orbit, the nasal
orbit, the temporal orbit, the anterior orbit, and/or the posterior
orbit. In some variations, the systems and devices described here
may be used to deliver an implant to the lacrimal fossa. In some of
these variations, the implant may be delivered in, on, or near the
lacrimal gland. For example, in some instances the systems and
methods described here may be used to position and deliver an
implant in the lacrimal fossa between the lacrimal gland and the
fontal bone of the orbit.
[0032] For the purposes of illustration, FIGS. 5A-5C depict various
views of the anatomy of the head of a patient. FIG. 5A illustrates
the lacrimal (or lachrymal) apparatus, the physiological system
that contains the structures of the orbit for tear production and
drainage. Shown there is an eye (2730) having an upper lid (2720)
and a lower lid (2722). The upper lid (2722) is shown in FIG. 5A as
being raised to reveal the conjunctiva (2724), which may line the
inside of the eyelids and cover the sclera of the eye (2730). The
lacrimal apparatus may include a lacrimal gland (2710) and ducts
(2712). The lacrimal gland (2710) may secrete lacrimal fluid (i.e.,
tears) which may flow through the ducts (2712) into the space
between the eye (2730) and the upper (2720) and lower (2722) lids.
The lacrimal gland (2710) may be innervated by several nerves.
These nerves may include the rami lacrimales, the lacrimal nerve,
perivascular nerves of lacrimal artery, and sympathetic nerves
fibers and neurites which innervate the lacrimal gland and its
associated vasculature. When the eye (2730) blinks, the lacrimal
fluid may be spread across the surface of the eye (2730). The
lacrimal fluid (2714) may collect in the lacrimal lake (not shown),
and may be drawn into the puncta (not shown) by capillary action.
The lacrimal fluid may flow through lacrimal canaliculi (not shown)
at the inner corner of the upper (2720) and lower (2722) lids to
enter lacrimal ducts (not shown) and drain through to the
nasolacrimal duct (not shown). The lacrimal fluid may drain from
the nasolacrimal duct into the nasal cavity of the patient.
[0033] FIG. 5B shows a front view of the skull, and emphasizes the
anatomy of the orbit with respect to the bones of the skull (2740).
FIG. 5C shows an enlarged view of the left orbit of the skull
(2740). As shown there, the exterior to the orbit includes the
posterior lacrimal crest (2734), the supraorbital process (2744),
the frontal process (2746), the sphenoid bone (2736), and the
zygomatic bone (2770). The interior of the left orbit includes the
superior orbital fissure (2733), inferior orbital fissure (2735),
the fossa for the lacrimal gland (2780) and the fossa for the
lacrimal sac (2732). The structures that enter the orbit through
the superior orbital fissure may include the cranial nerves (CN)
III, IV, and VI, lacrimal nerve, frontal nerve, nasociliary nerve,
orbital branch of middle meningeal artery, recurrent branch of
lacrimal artery, superior orbital vein, and the superior ophthalmic
vein. The structures that enter the orbit through the inferior
orbital fissure may include the infraorbital nerve, zygomatic
nerve, parasympathetics to the lacrimal gland, infraorbital artery,
infraorbital vein, and inferior ophthalmic vein branch to pterygoid
plexus. Some of the bony structures and regions shown in FIG. 5C
include, but are not limited to, the infraorbital foramen (2762),
the maxillary axis (2764), the nasal-maxillary area (2766), the
nasal cavity (2768), and the inferior medial aspect of the
supraorbital process (2772).
[0034] Generally, the methods described here comprise piercing a
first tissue to form an opening therein, forming a pocket in tissue
beyond the opening, delivering an implant into that pocket, and, in
some variations, closing the opening in the first tissue. In some
variations, the methods further comprise dilating the opening
formed in the first tissue. For example, in some variations, the
methods comprise piercing the conjunctiva to form an opening
therein, separating tissue beyond the conjunctiva to form a pocket
in the tissue, and delivering an implant into the pocket. In some
of these variations, the pocket is formed between the lacrimal
gland and the frontal process of the orbit. In some variations, the
methods further comprise closing the opening in the
conjunctiva.
[0035] When the methods described here comprise piercing the
conjunctiva to form an opening therein, it may be necessary to
either move or pierce the eyelid covering the conjunctiva.
Accordingly, in some variations, the method may comprise retracting
an eyelid. In these variations, the eyelid may be held in a
retracted position (e.g., using one or more tools, a finger, or the
like). In other variations, the methods may comprise piercing both
the eyelid and the conjunctiva. In variations that include piercing
the eyelid, the method may further comprise tensioning the eyelid,
which may facilitate piercing of the eyelid. Additionally or
alternatively, the method may further comprise raising a user's
brow to pull a portion of the eyelid into the eyelid crease under
the frontal process.
[0036] When piercing the conjunctiva, it may be desirable to create
tension in the conjunctiva before and/or during piercing of the
conjunctiva. For example, the patient may be directed to look away
from the intended piercing location, which may act to tension the
conjunctiva. Additionally or alternatively, retracting the eyelid
may act to at least partially tension the conjunctiva (and may also
move structures such as the cornea away from the insertion point).
In some variations, once the conjunctiva has been pierced to form
an opening therein, the opening in the conjunctiva may be dilated,
such as will be described in more detail below. Dilating of the
opening in the conjunctiva may facilitate introduction of a portion
of delivery device through the opening.
[0037] Following formation (and dilation, when the methods include
a dilation step) of the opening, a portion of a delivery device may
be advanced through the opening in the conjunctiva to form a pocket
between tissue beyond the conjunctiva. For example, in some
variations, this may include forming a pocket between the lacrimal
gland and the frontal process of the orbit. In some of these
variations, this may further include forming a pocket between the
periosteum and the lacrimal gland. In others of these variations,
this may further include forming a pocket between the periosteum
and the bone of the orbit. In other variations, this may include
forming a pocket between the lacrimal gland and the tarsus of the
eyelids. The pocket is preferably formed using a blunt portion of
the device, which may reduce the likelihood of inadvertently
damaging tissue such as the eye or the lacrimal gland.
[0038] An implant (or plurality of implants) may be delivered into
the pocket formed between tissues beyond the conjunctiva. In some
instances, the implant may be delivered simultaneously with the
formation of the pocket. In other variations, the implant may be
delivered after formation of the pocket. In some instances, the
methods may also comprise removing any delivery devices that have
been advanced into the conjunctiva or the tissues beyond the
conjunctiva. Removal of the one or more delivery devices may occur
simultaneously with delivery of the implant, or may occur after the
implant has been delivered. Following removal of the one or more
delivery devices, the opening in the conjunctiva may be closed. The
opening may be closed in any suitable manner. In some variations,
the opening may be closed using one or more sutures, one or more
adhesives, electrocautery techniques, one or more staples,
combinations thereof, and the like. In some instances, the methods
may not comprise a separate closing step, as the opening of the
conjunctiva may naturally contract sufficiently to at least
partially close the opening.
[0039] The methods described here may be performed by a system
including one or more delivery devices. In some variations, the
system may include a single device which may be used to pierce the
conjunctiva to form an opening (and to dilate the opening in
variations that comprise a dilating step), create the pocket
between tissue beyond the conjunctiva, and deliver the implant. In
other variations, a first device may be used to pierce the
conjunctiva to form an opening (and to dilate the opening in
variations that comprise a dilating step), while a second device
may be inserted into the opening to form the pocket between tissues
beyond the conjunctiva. The second device may be further used to
deliver the implant. In yet other variations, a first device may be
used to pierce the conjunctiva to form an opening in the
conjunctiva (and to dilate the opening in variations that comprise
a dilating step), a second device may be inserted into the opening
to form the pocket between tissues beyond the conjunctiva, and a
third device may be advanced into the pocket to deliver the
implant. Any suitable delivery devices as described here may be
used to perform one or more of these steps, and several
illustrative devices will be described in more detail below.
[0040] For example, FIGS. 1A-1H depict one variation of the
delivery devices described here. FIG. 1A depicts a perspective view
of the delivery device (100), and FIGS. 1B and 1C show a side view
and a perspective view, respectively, of a distal portion of the
delivery device (100). As shown there, the delivery device (100)
may comprise a handle (102) and a tongue member (104) extending
from a distal portion the handle (102). In some variations, the
delivery device (100) may further comprise an ejector (106), but
need not. In variations where the delivery device (100) comprises
an ejector (106), the ejector (106) may be configured to deliver an
implant from the delivery device (100). Additionally or
alternatively, the delivery device (100) may comprise a piercing
member (108), but need not. In variations where the delivery device
(100) comprises a piercing member (108), the piercing member (108)
may have a piercing tip (132) configured to pierce tissue such as
the conjunctiva to form an opening therein. In some variation, the
delivery device (100) may comprise both an ejector (106) and a
piercing member (108). In other variations, the delivery device
(100) may comprise an ejector (106), but not a piercing member
(108). In these variations, a separate device may be used to form
an opening in tissue, as will be described in more detail below,
and the tongue member (104) of the delivery device (100) may be
advanced through the opening. In still other variations the
delivery device (100) may comprise a piercing member (108), but not
an ejector (106). In these variations, a separate device may be
used to deliver an implant. Each of the components of the delivery
device (100) will be described in more detail below.
[0041] Generally, the handle (102) is sized and configured to be
held by a user, which may allow the user to manipulate and control
the delivery device (100). The handle (102) may have any suitable
length (e.g., between about 5 cm and about 20 cm, between about 10
and about 15 cm, or the like) and diameter (e.g., between about 0.5
cm and about 4 cm, between about 1 cm and 3 cm, or the like). While
shown in FIG. 1A as having a generally squared cross-sectional
shape, the handle (102) may have a cross-section having any
suitable shape (e.g., circular, oval, rectangular, another polygon,
an irregular shape, or the like). Additionally, in some variations
the handle (102) may comprise one or more finger grooves (not
shown), but need not. Finger grooves may create a grip-like
arrangement that allow a user to more easily grasp and hold the
delivery device (100). Generally, the handle (102) allows the
device to be gripped and manipulated with one hand, such that the
device may be operated with a single hand. The various components
of the delivery device (100) (e.g., the handle (102), the tongue
member (104)) may be formed from any suitable material or
materials, such as one or more metals (e.g., stainless steel,
titanium, titanium alloys, or the like), one or more biocompatible
plastics (e.g., polycarbonate, ABS, or the like), combinations
thereof and the like.
[0042] The tongue member (104) may extend from the handle (102)
(e.g., a distal portion of the handle as shown in FIG. 1A).
Generally, the tongue member (104) is configured to pass between
tissues to form a pocket therebetween. In some variations the
tongue member (104) may be curved (such as shown in FIG. 1A), but
it should be appreciated that in other variations the tongue member
(104) may be straight. When the tongue member (104) is curved, it
may have any suitable radius of curvature. In some variations, a
curved tongue member (104) may have a radius of curvature that
corresponds to a radius of curvature of the orbit. In other
variations, it may be desirable to have a curved tongue member
(104) having a radius of curvature greater than the radius of
curvature of the orbit. In these variations, a tip (112) of the
tongue member (104) may be used to palpate the orbit or other
tissue structures during advancement of the tongue member (104)
past the conjunctiva. The radius of curvature of the orbit may be
between about 10 mm and about 50 mm, depending at least in part on
the patient and the specific portion of the orbit. In some
variations, the curved tongue member (104) may have a radius of
curvature greater than about 10 mm, between about 10 mm and about
50 mm, between about 20 and 40 mm, about 25 mm, or the like. In
some instances, a delivery device (100) may be selected from a
plurality of delivery devices (100) having curved tongue members
(104) with different radii of curvatures, depending on the patient.
In variations where the delivery device (100) comprises a straight
tongue member (104), the tongue member (104) may be used to palpate
the orbit or other tissue structures during advancement of the
tongue member (104).
[0043] In some variations, the tongue member (104) may be
configured to dilate an opening formed in tissue, such as the
conjunctiva. For example, in the variation of the delivery device
(100) shown in FIG. 1A, the width of the tip (112) of the tongue
member (104) may be tapered such that the width decreases from a
proximal end of the tip to the distal end of the tip. When the tip
(112) is advanced through an opening in tissue (such as the
conjunctiva), the increasing width of the tip (112) may dilate the
opening as the tip passes therethrough. In some variations, the
height of the tongue member (104) may also be tapered to further
assist in dilation of an opening and/or forming the pocket between
tissues. It should be appreciated that in some variations, the tip
(112) of the tongue member (104) may not be tapered. Additionally,
in some variations it may be preferable to configure the tongue
member (104) such that the tip (112) is rounded or otherwise blunt.
In these variations, the tongue member (104) may still be able to
push or otherwise displace tissue to create a pocket between
tissues, but may have a reduced likelihood of cutting or otherwise
damaging certain tissue (such as the eyeball) during advancement of
the tongue member (104).
[0044] Generally, it may be desirable to allow a user to control
the amount that the tip (112) of the tongue member (104) is
advanced beyond the tissue opening. For example, in instances where
the delivery devices described here are used to position an implant
between the lacrimal gland and the frontal process of the orbit, it
may be desirable to first position the tip (112) of the tongue
member (104) between the lacrimal gland and the frontal process of
the orbit. If the tongue member (104) is not advanced far enough,
the implant may not reach the target location on the lacrimal
gland. Conversely, if the tongue member is advanced too far, the
implant may be placed beyond the lacrimal gland. Accordingly, in
some variations the tongue members (104) described here may
comprise one or more features to assist a user in controlling the
advancement of the tongue member (104) through tissue.
[0045] In some variations, the tongue member (104) may comprise one
or more depth stops which may stop or otherwise hinder advancement
of the tongue member (104) relative to tissue. For example, in the
variation of the delivery device (100) shown in FIGS. 1A-1H, the
tongue member (104) may comprise one or more projections (130)
extending from one or both sides of the tongue member (104). For
example, FIG. 1F shows a top view of a distal portion of the
delivery device (100), and as shown there, the tongue member (104)
may comprise a projection (130) extending from each side of the
tongue member (104). In other variations, the tongue member (104)
may comprise one projection (130) extending from only one side of
the tongue member (104). Generally, the projections (130) may
increase the width of the tongue member (104), and may engage
tissue during advancement of the tongue member (104). For example,
when the tongue member (104) is advanced through an opening formed
in the conjunctiva, the opening of the conjunctiva may fit closely
enough around the tongue member (104) during advancement of the
tongue member (104) such that the projections (130) may catch on or
otherwise press against the conjunctiva. This engagement between
the projections (130) and the conjunctiva may resist advancement of
the projections (130) past the opening of the conjunctiva. Distance
between the tip (112) and the projections (130) may set the
distance the tip (112) of the tongue member (104) will be advanced
into the orbit when the projections (130) engage tissue.
Accordingly, a user may advance the tongue member (104) until the
projections (130) resist further advancement, which may indicate to
the user how far the tip (112) of the tongue member (104) has been
advanced. For example, the projections (130) may be positioned such
that the tip (112) of the tongue member is positioned between the
lacrimal gland and the frontal process of the orbit when the
projections (130) engage an opening in the conjunctiva.
[0046] While the projections (130) are shown in FIGS. 1A-1H as
being fixed relative to the tongue member, in other variations the
projections (130) may be adjustable relative to the tongue member
(104). When the projections (130) are adjustable relative to the
tongue member (104), a user may adjust the positioning of the
projections (130) to control a penetration depth of the tip (112)
of the tongue member (104). Additionally, while shown in FIG. 1A as
comprising projections, the tongue member (104) may comprise any
suitable structure to help control the advancement of the tongue
member (104). For example, in some variations the tongue member
(104) may comprise a distal portion and a proximal portion having a
larger width than the proximal portion. In these variations, the
distal portion tongue member (104) may be advanced through a tissue
opening until the proximal portion of the tongue member (104)
catches on the tissue opening. In other variations, the tongue
member (104) may comprise one or more notches along the tongue
member. In these variations, when the tongue member (104) is
advanced far enough through a tissue opening such that the notches
reach the opening, the tissue opening may contract (e.g., due to
elasticity of the tissue) into the notches and may resist further
advancement. In still other variations, the tongue member (104) may
comprise one or more markers positioned along the length of the
tongue member (104). In these variations, a user may advance the
tongue member (104) through a tissue opening until a specific
marker reaches the tissue opening, at which point the user may know
that the tip (112) of the tongue member (104) has been advanced a
depth indicated by that marker. It should also be appreciated that
the delivery devices described here need not comprise any depth
stops or markers.
[0047] As mentioned above, in some variations the delivery device
(100) may comprise an ejector. In these variations, the ejector
(106) may cooperate with the tongue member (104) to deliver an
implant. For example, in the variation of the delivery device
(100), the ejector (106) may comprise a pusher (114), a control
slider (116), and a linkage (118) connecting the pusher (114) to
the control slider (116). The pusher (114) may be slidably
connected to the tongue member (104), and the control slider (116)
may be slidably connected to the handle (102). A user may advance
the control slider (116) relative to the handle (102), and the
connection between the control slider (116) and the pusher (114)
provided by the linkage (118) may cause advancement of the pusher
(114) along the tongue member (104). Similarly, withdrawal of the
control slider (116) relative to the handle (102) may proximally
withdraw the pusher (114) relative to the tongue member (104).
[0048] In use, the ejector (106) may be used to deliver an implant
from the delivery device (100). In some variations, an implant may
be slidably connected to the tongue member (104). For example, as
shown in FIG. 1C, the tongue member (104) may comprise a first lip
(120) on a first side of the tongue member (104) and a second lip
(122) on an opposite side of the tongue member (104). The first lip
(120) and the second lip (122) may form a track (124) along at
least a portion of the length of the tongue member (104). In the
variation of the delivery device (100) shown in FIG. 1A, the first
lip (120), the second lip (122) and corresponding track (124) may
extend along the tongue member (104) from the handle (102) to a
proximal end of the tip (112). In other variations, the first lip,
second lip, and track may extend along the entire length of the
tongue member (104).
[0049] When the tongue member (104) comprises a track (124), the
pusher (114) of the ejector (106) may be slidably connected to the
tongue member (104) along the track (124). Additionally, as shown
in a perspective view in FIG. 1D and a top view in FIG. 1F, an
implant (126) may be positioned such that it is slidably received
in the track (124). In these variations, the implant (126) may be
positioned such that the first lip (120) and the second lip (122)
may hold the implant (126) in engagement with the tongue member
(104). To deliver the implant (126) from the tongue member (104),
the pusher (114) may be advanced (e.g., by advancing the control
slider (116)) into contact with the implant (126) and may be
further advanced to push the implant (126) along the track (124)
until the implant (126) clears the track (124) and is thereby
released from the tongue member (104).
[0050] In some variations in which the delivery device (100)
comprises an ejector (106) having a pusher (114), the pusher (114)
may comprise one or more structures that may be configured to limit
advancement of the pusher (114) relative to tissue. For example, in
the variation of the delivery device (100) shown in FIGS. 1A-1F,
the pusher (114) may have a stop portion (128) having a height
sufficient to stop advancement of the pusher (114) relative to a
specific tissue structure. For example, when the delivery device
(100) is used to advance the tongue member (104) between the
eyeball and the frontal process of the orbit, the stop portion
(128) may be dimensioned to contact the orbital fossa (e.g., the
supraorbital process) when the pusher (114) is advanced along the
tongue member (104). When the tongue member (104) is advanced
between the eyeball and the orbital fossa to position the tip (112)
of the tongue member (104) at a target position, the pusher (114)
may be advanced (e.g., via advancement of the control slider (116))
until the stop portion (128) contacts the orbital fossa. At this
point, the pusher (114) may be stopped from forward movement
relative to the orbital fossa (e.g., which may prevent or resist
the pusher (114) from moving between the eyeball and the frontal
process of the orbit), but continued advancement of the control
slider (116) relative to the handle (102) may cause retraction of
the handle (102) and tongue member (104) relative to the tissue.
The retraction of the tongue member (104) may pull some or all of
the tongue member (104) out of the tissue opening, but the
engagement between the pusher (114) and the implant (126) may
prevent the implant (126) from being withdrawn, and may result in
delivery of the implant (126) from the delivery device.
[0051] As mentioned above, in some variations the delivery device
(100) may comprise a piercing member (108) configured to form an
opening in tissue such as the conjunctiva. In some variations where
the delivery device (100) comprises a piercing member (108), the
piercing member (108) may be selectively moveable between a
retracted configuration and a piercing configuration. For example,
in the variation of the delivery device (100) shown in FIGS. 1A-1F,
the piercing member (108) may be selectively moveable between a
retracted configuration (such as shown in FIG. 1C), in which a
piercing tip (132) of the piercing member (108) is retracted
relative to the tip (112) of the tongue member (104), and a
piercing configuration (as shown in FIGS. 1E and 1F), in which the
piercing tip (132) of the piercing member (108) extends beyond the
tip (112) of the tongue member (104). In these variations, the
piercing member (108) may be placed in a piercing configuration,
and the delivery device (100) may be advanced to drive the piercing
tip (132) of the piercing member (108) through tissue (such as the
conjunctiva) to form an opening therein. Once the opening has been
formed, the piercing member (108) may be placed in the retracted
configuration, which may help prevent the likelihood that the
piercing member (108) damages tissue beyond the tissue opening.
[0052] The piercing member (108) may be moveable between piercing
and retracted configurations in any suitable manner. For example,
in some variations, the handle (102) may comprise one or more
controls which may be configured to move the piercing member (108)
between the piercing and retracted configurations. In variations
where the delivery device comprises an ejector, one or more
portions of the connector may be configured to move the piercing
member (108) between the piercing and retracted configurations.
[0053] In variations where the delivery devices described here
comprise both an ejector configured to advance an implant and a
piercing member, it may be desirable to configure the delivery
device such that the piercing member is prevented from moving to a
piercing configuration while the ejector is delivering an implant.
For example, in the variation of the delivery device (100) shown in
FIGS. 1A-1F, the control slider (116) of the ejector (106) may be
configured to control both delivery of the implant (126) and
movement of the piercing member to a piercing configuration.
Specifically, the control slider (116) may be configured such that
advancement of the control slider (116) advances the pusher (114)
to advance and deliver an implant (126) (such as described above),
while retraction of the control slider (116) may contact a
mechanism to move the piercing member (108) to a piercing
configuration. Because the control slider (116) requires retraction
to move the piercing member (108) to a piercing configuration and
advancement to deliver the implant, a user may be prevented from
inadvertently moving the piercing member (108) to a piercing
configuration when the user is advancing the control slider (116)
to deliver an implant.
[0054] FIGS. 1G and 1H depict cross-sectional side views of the
delivery device (100) depicting an illustrative mechanism by which
retraction of the control slider (116) may move the piercing member
(108) to a piercing configuration. In this variation, the handle
(102) may comprise a rocker (134) that is pivotably mounted to the
handle (102). A first end (136) of the rocker (134) may be
connected to the piercing member (108), and may be configured such
that the rocker (134) may be rotated relative to the handle (102)
in a first direction to a first position (as shown in FIG. 1G),
wherein rotation in the first direction to the first position
advances the piercing member (108) relative to the tongue member
(104) (e.g., to advance the piercing tip (132) of the piercing
member (108) past the tip (112) of the tongue member (104) to place
the device in the piercing configuration). The rocker (134) may be
further configured such that the rocker (134) may be rotated
relative to the handle (102) in a second direction opposite the
first direction to a second position (as shown in FIG. 1H), wherein
rotation of the rocker (134) in the second direction retracts the
piercing member (108) relative to the tongue member (104) (e.g., to
move the piercing member (108) to the retracted configuration). The
handle (102) may further comprise a spring (138) (not shown in FIG.
1G) that pushes against the rocker (134) to bias the rocker (134)
toward the second position, thereby biasing the piercing member
(108) toward the retracted configuration.
[0055] The control slider (116) may be configured such that
retraction of the control slider (116) along the handle (112) moves
the control slider (116) into contact with a second end (140) of
the rocker (134). The control slider (116) may press against the
second end (140) of the rocker (134) to overcome the biasing force
provided by the spring (138), and this may rotate the rocker (134)
in the first direction and move the piercing member (108) to the
piercing configuration (as shown in FIG. 1G). Subsequent
advancement of the control slider (116) may disengage the control
slider (116) from the rocker (134), thereby allowing the spring
(138) to rotate the rocker (134) in an opposite direction to return
the piercing member (108) to the retracted configuration (as shown
in FIG. 1H). In this variation, in order to advance the control
slider (116) to deliver an implant (as discussed above), the
control slider (116) needs to be moved out of engagement with the
rocker (134). Since the spring (138) biases the delivery device to
the retracted configuration when the control slider (116) is not in
contact with the rocker (134), a user may be prevented from
advancing the control slider (116) and delivering an implant with
the piercing member (108) in an extended configuration.
[0056] FIGS. 2A-2E depict a second variation of a delivery device
(200) which may also be configured to prevent a piercing member
from being moved to a piercing configuration during delivery of an
implant. FIG. 2A show a perspective view of the delivery device
(200), while FIGS. 2B and 2C show a side view and a perspective
view, respectively, of a distal portion of the delivery device
(200). As shown there, the delivery device may comprise a handle
(202), a tongue member (204), an ejector (206), and a piercing
member (208), such as described in more detail above. The tongue
member (204) and handle (202) may be configured in any suitable
manner, such as described in more detail above. As shown there, the
ejector (206) may comprise a pusher (214) slidably connected to the
tongue member (204), a control slider (216) slidably connected to
the handle (202), and a linkage (218) connecting the pusher (214)
and the control slider (216). In some variations, the pusher (214)
may comprise a stop member (215) attached thereto, such as
described above. Advancement and retraction of the control slider
(216) may advance and retract, respectively, the pusher (214)
relative to the tongue member (204), as described in more detail
above. In the variation of the delivery device (200) show in FIGS.
2A-2E, the control slider (216) may comprise a button (220) which
may move the piercing member (208) from a retracted configuration
(in which a piercing tip (210) of the piercing member (208) is
retracted relative to a tip (212) of the tongue member (204)) to a
piercing configuration (in which the piercing tip (210) of the
piercing member (208) is advanced beyond the tip (212) of the
tongue member (204)).
[0057] FIGS. 2D and 2E depict an illustrative mechanism by which
the button (220) of the control slider (216) may be used to move
the piercing member (208) from a retracted configuration to a
piercing configuration. The handle (202) may comprise a rocker
(232) that is pivotably mounted to the handle (202). A first end
(234) of the rocker (232) may be attached to the piercing member
(208), and the rocker (232) may be rotated in a first direction
toward a first position, wherein rotation of the rocker (232) to
the first position may advance the piercing member (208) relative
to the tongue member (204) to move the piercing member (208) to the
piercing configuration as described above (and as shown in FIG.
2E). The rocker (232) may also be rotated in a second direction
opposite the first direction toward a second position, wherein
rotation of the rocker (232) to the second position may retract the
piercing member (208) relative to the tongue member (204) to move
the piercing member (208) to the retracted configuration as
describe above (and as shown in FIG. 2D). In some variations, the
handle (202) may further comprise a spring (236) which may bias the
rocker (232) toward the second position, thereby biasing the
piercing member (208) toward the retracted configuration.
[0058] In order to move the piercing member (208) to the piercing
configuration, a user may depress the button (220). The button
(220) may be configured such that depression of the button presses
against a second end (236) of the rocker (232) to rotate the rocker
(232) in the first direction toward the first position, thereby
moving the piercing member (208) to the piercing configuration as
discussed above. When the user releases the button (220) (the
button (220) may be spring-biased towards an un-depressed position,
the spring (236) may return the rocker (232) to the second
position, thereby returning the piercing member (208) to the
retracted configuration.
[0059] In some variations, the delivery device (200) may be
configured such that the button (220) may not be depressed during
delivery of an implant. For example, in some variations, the
control slider (216) of the ejector (206) may be moveable relative
the handle (202) between a retracted position (in which the pusher
(214) of the ejector is retracted relative to the tongue member
(204)) and an advanced position (in which the pusher (214) of the
ejector is advanced relative to the tongue member (204)). As
discussed in more detail above, advancement of the control slider
(216) and the pusher (214) may advance and deliver an implant (not
shown). In order to prevent the button (220) from accidentally
being depressed during delivery of the implant, the delivery device
(200) may be configured such that the button (220) may be depressed
when the control slider (216) is in the retracted position (shown
in FIG. 2E), and may further be configured such that the button
(220) cannot be depressed when the control slider (216) is outside
of the retracted position (e.g., when the control slider (216) is
in the advanced position). For example, as shown in FIGS. 2D and
2E, the button (220) may be configured to contact the second end
(236) of the rocker (232) through an opening (238) in the handle
(202). This opening (238) may be configured such that the button
(220) may only be depressed when the button (220) is positioned
over the opening (238), and the device may be further configured
such that button (220) is positioned over the opening (238) only
when the control slider (216) is in the retracted position.
[0060] The delivery device (200) may further be configured such
that the control slider (216) may be prevented from advancing while
the button (220) is depressed. For example, when the button (220)
is depressed into the opening (238) as shown in FIG. 2E, the
portion of the button (220) positioned in the opening (238) may be
prevented from advancing relative to the handle (202) by a distal
end of the opening (238). This in turn may prevent advancement of
the control slider (216) while the button (220) is depressed into
the opening (238). Accordingly, to advance the control slider (216)
from the retracted position, a user may need to release the button
(220), which may cause the piercing member (208) to return to the
retracted configuration. In this way, the control slider (216) may
only be advanced when the button (220) is not pressed (and the
piercing member (208) is in the retracted configuration), and the
button (220) may be prevented from inadvertently moving the
piercing member (208) to the piercing configuration during
advancement of the control slider (216).
[0061] In some variations, the delivery devices described here may
be configured to absorb blood or other fluids that may escape
through a tissue opening as the delivery device is advanced through
the opening. For example, in some variations, one or more of the
components of the delivery devices described above may be at least
partially covered with or otherwise contain a fluid-absorbing
material (e.g., one or more porous or sponge materials, one or more
woven or non-woven materials, one or more pulps, or the like, which
may be formed from collagen, wood pulp, rayon, cotton, or the
like). In some variations, one or more portions of a tongue member
may be at least partially covered with an absorbent material, such
that the tongue member may be configured to absorb fluid contacted
by the tongue member. Additionally or alternatively, in variations
where the tongue member comprises an ejector having a pusher, one
or more portions of the tongue may be covered with an absorbent
material.
[0062] FIGS. 6A and 6B depict a variation of a delivery device
(600) described here which may be configured to absorb fluid. As
shown there, the delivery device (600) may comprise a handle (602)
and a tongue member (604) having a tip (612). The delivery device
(600) may further comprise an ejector (606) comprising a pusher
(614), control slider (616), and linkage (618) and/or a piercing
member (not shown), such as described in more detail above.
Additionally, in some variations the tongue member (604) may
comprise projections (630) or other depth stops as discussed above,
but need not. Also shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B is an absorbing member
(620). The absorbing member (620) is generally configured to absorb
fluid, and may be at least partially formed from one or more of the
materials discussed above. The absorbing member (620) may be
configured such that it may be slidably connected to the tongue
member (604). For example, in some variations the absorbing member
(620) may comprise a slot or channel that may be placed at least
partially around the tongue member (604) to slidably couple the
absorbing member (620) thereto. In these variations, when the
tongue member (604) is advanced through an opening in tissue (such
as the conjunctiva), the absorbing member (620) may be pressed
against the tissue opening. When pressed against the opening, the
absorbing member (620) may absorb fluid (e.g., blood) that exits
the tissue opening. As the tongue member (604) is further advanced
relative to the tissue opening, the absorbing member (620) may be
too large to fit through the opening and the tongue member (604)
may slide relative to the absorbing member (620). Accordingly, the
tongue member (604) may be advanced into the opening while
maintaining the absorbing member (620) at the tissue opening.
[0063] In variations where the tongue member (604) comprises
projections (630), such as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the
projections (630) may be configured to catch against a proximal end
of the absorbing member (620), when the tongue member (604) is
advanced relative to the absorbing member (620). In these
variations, when the projections (630) contact the absorbing member
(620), the projections (630) may resist advancement relative to the
absorbing member (620). If the absorbing member (620) is positioned
against the tissue opening, the absorbing member (620) may be
prevented from further advancement, which may in turn resist
further advancement of the projections (630) and the tongue member
(604). In other variations, the projections (630) may be configured
to advance through the absorbing member (620) (e.g., through one or
more lumens or channels (not shown) in the absorbing member (620))
as the tongue member (604) is advanced, and the projections (630)
may directly engage the tissue opening, as described in more detail
above.
[0064] As mentioned above, in some variations, the delivery devices
described here do not comprise a piercing member. In some of these
variations, the systems described here may comprise a second device
that may be used to form an opening in tissue such as the
conjunctiva. For example, FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a variation of
a device configured to puncture or cut a tissue (e.g., the
conjunctiva) to form an opening therein. FIG. 3A shows a side view
of the piercing device (300). As shown there, the piercing device
(300) may comprise a first blade member (302) rotatably connected
to a second blade member (304) via a pivot point (306). The first
(302) and second (304) blade members may each have an inner edge
(305), an outer edge (307), and a tip (309), and may cooperate to
create an opening in tissue (such as the conjunctiva). In some
instances, the first (302) and second (304) blade members may be
used to expand the opening, as will be described in more detail
below. Specifically, to create an opening in the tissue, the first
(302) and second (304) blade members may be positioned in a first
configuration (e.g., by rotating the first blade member (302)
relative to the second blade member (304)) in which the tips (309)
of the first (302) and second (304) blade members are aligned and
coincide to form a point (308), as shown in a side view in FIG. 3B.
When the first (302) and second (304) blade members are positioned
in the first configuration, the point (308) may be sufficiently
sharp to pierce tissue such as the conjunctiva. Accordingly, the
first (302) and second (304) blade members may be positioned in the
first configuration, and the point (308) may be pressed against a
target tissue (e.g., the conjunctiva) to pierce that tissue and
form an opening therein. It should be appreciated that in some
variations, the first (302) and second (304) blade members may be
used to cut tissue and form an opening as the blade members are
rotated toward the first configuration, as will be discussed in
more detail below, and may be advanced into the opening when in the
first configuration.
[0065] Once the point (308) has formed an opening in the target
tissue (or the blade members have been inserted in an opening
formed in the tissue, such as by cutting the target tissue with the
blade members), the first (302) and second (304) blade members may
be moved to a second configuration to expand the opening formed in
the tissue. Specifically, the first blade member (302) may be
rotated relative to the second blade member (304) (e.g., around the
pivot point (306)) to move the tips of the first (302) and second
(304) blade members away from each other, such as shown in a side
view in FIG. 3A. As the first (302) and second (304) blade members
move from the first to the second configuration, the outer edges
(307) of the blade members move away from each other. The outer
edges (307) of the blade members may in turn push against tissue of
the opening to stretch or otherwise enlarge the opening in the
tissue. With the tissue opening stretched, one or more delivery
devices (such as those described above) may be advanced through the
opening and may be used to perform one or more additional steps of
the methods described here.
[0066] As the outer edges (307) of the blade members are separated,
the tissue opening may have a tendency to slide relative to the
blade members (e.g., slipping off the front of the piercing device
(300) or slipping toward the pivot point (306)). This may interfere
with the ability of the first (302) and second (304) blade members
to stretch the tissue opening. Accordingly, in some variations, the
piercing device (300) may comprise one or more features to help
temporarily secure the first (302) and/or second (304) blade
members relative to tissue. For example, in some variations, at
least one of the first and second blade members comprises a notch.
In the variation shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, each of the first (302)
and second (304) blade members comprise a notch (310) in the outer
edge (307) of the respective blade members. It should be
appreciated, however, that in some variations only the first blade
member (302) may comprise a notch (310), only the second blade
member (304) comprises a notch (310), or neither of the blade
members comprise a notch. Generally, a notch (310) on a blade
member may reduce the cross-sectional area of that blade member.
When the first (302) and second (304) blade members are placed in a
first configuration and advanced to puncture tissue, the piercing
device (300) may be further advanced until the notches (310) of the
first (302) and second (304) blade members reach the opening. The
tissue opening may have an elasticity that may cause the tissue
opening to contract into the notches (310). This tension may help
hold tissue within the notches (310), and may reduce the likelihood
that the tissue opening will slide relative to the first (302)
and/or second (304) blade members as the blade members are moved
from the first configuration to the second configuration to expand
the opening.
[0067] The first (302) and second (304) blade members may be moved
between the first and second configurations in any suitable manner.
For example, in the variation of the piercing device (300) shown in
FIGS. 3A and 3B, each of the first (302) and second (304) blade
members may be attached to a first grip and a second grip,
respectively (labeled as (312) and (314), respectively). Rotation
of the first grip (312) relative the pivot point (306) may rotate
the first blade member (302) relative to the pivot point (306),
while rotation of the second grip (314) relative to the pivot point
(306) may rotate the second blade member (302) relative to the
pivot point (306). In the variation shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the
piercing device (300) may be configured such that rotating the
first grip (312) toward the second grip (314) rotates the first
blade member (302) toward the second blade member (304) (e.g.,
toward the first configuration) and rotating the first grip (312)
away from the second grip (314) rotates the first blade member
(302) away from the second blade member (304) (e.g., toward the
second configuration). In other variations, the piercing device
(300) may instead be configured such that rotating the first grip
(312) toward the second grip (314) rotates the first blade member
(302) away the second blade member (304) (e.g., toward the second
configuration) and rotating the first grip (312) away from the
second grip (314) rotates the first blade member (302) toward from
the second blade member (304) (e.g., toward the first
configuration). In either of the above embodiments, a user may
manipulate the first (312) and second (314) grips to move the first
(302) and second (304) blade members between the first and second
configurations.
[0068] In some variations, the piercing device may be biased toward
one of the first and second configurations. For example, in the
variation shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the piercing device (300) may
comprise a spring member (316) connecting the first (312) and
second (314) grips. As shown there, the spring member (316) may
bias the first (312) and second (314) grips away from each other,
which in turn may bias the first (302) and second (304) blade
members toward the second configuration. In these instances, a user
may squeeze the first (312) and second (314) grips together to
overcome the biasing force provided by the spring member (316) and
position the first (302) and second (304) blade members together in
the first configuration. Releasing or otherwise reducing the
squeezing force applied to the first (312) and second (314) grips
may allow the spring member (316) to move the first (302) and
second (304) blade members toward the second configuration. It
should be appreciated that in some variations, the piercing device
(300) may comprise a spring member that is configured to bias the
first and second grips toward each other, which in turn may bias
the first and second blade members toward the first configuration.
In still other variations, the piercing device need not be biased
toward any particular position.
[0069] The piercing device may further be configured to limit the
range of motion of the first (312) and second (314) grips, which
thereby limits the range of motion of the first (302) and second
(304) blade members. For example, in the variation shown in FIGS.
3A and 3B, the piercing device (300) may comprise two
range-limiting elements. Specifically, one of range-limiting
element may limit how closely the first grip (312) may be rotated
toward the second grip (314) and the other range-limiting element
may limit how far the first grip (312) may be rotated away from the
second grip (314). It should be appreciated that in some
variations, the piercing device (300) may comprise only a
range-limiting element configured to limit rotation of the first
grip (312) toward the second grip (314), may comprise only a
range-limiting element configured to limit rotation of the first
grip (312) away from the second grip (314), or may not comprise any
range-limiting element.
[0070] The range-limiting elements may be any structure suitable to
limit the rotation of the first grip (312) relative to the second
grip (314). In the variation shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the piercing
device (300) comprises a range-limiting pin (318) positioned
between the first (312) and second (314) grips. The range-limiting
pin (318) may be attached to one of the grips (e.g., the first grip
(312) in the variation shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B) and may act as a
stop to rotation of the first grip (312) toward the second grip
(314). For example, as shown in FIG. 3B, the first grip (312) may
be rotated toward the second grip (314) until the range-limiting
pin (318) contacts the second grip (314). This contact between the
range-limiting pin (318) and the second grip (314) may prevent the
first grip (312) from rotating further toward the second grip
(314). In some variations, the range-limiting pin (318) may be
configured such that it stops rotation between the first (312) and
second (314) grips when the first (302) and second (304) blade
members reach the first configuration. In this way, a user may
position the first (302) and second (304) blade members in the
first configuration by squeezing the first (312) and second (314)
grips toward each other until the range-limiting pin (318) prevents
further rotation of the grips. This may also act to prevent the
first (302) and second (304) blade members from over-rotating past
the first configuration.
[0071] Additionally, the piercing device (300) may comprise a
range-limiting bar (320) which may limit rotation of the first grip
(312) away from the second grip (314). Specifically, the
range-limiting bar (320) may be attached to either of the grips (in
the variation shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the range-limiting bar
(320) may be attached to the second grip (314)) and may act as a
stop to limit rotation of the first grip (312) away from the second
grip (314). For example, the first grip (312) may be free to rotate
away from the second grip until it contacts the range-limiting bar
(320) (as shown in FIG. 3A). Contact between the range-limiting bar
(320) and the first grip (312) may prevent further rotation of the
first grip (312) away from the second grip (314). Accordingly, the
range-limiting bar (320) may control how far the first (312) and
second (314) grips may be separated. This in turn may control how
far the first (302) and second (304) blade members may be separated
when in the second configuration. By controlling the possible
separation of the first (302) and second (304) blade members, the
range-limiting bar (320) may control the amount that the opening
formed by the piercing device (300) may be stretched. For example,
when each of the first (302) and second (304) blade members
comprise a notch (310), the range-limiting bar (320) may be
configured to stop rotation of the first (312) and second (314)
grips when the distance between the notch (310) of the first blade
member (302) and the notch (310) of the second blade member (304)
reaches a certain amount (e.g., between about 4 mm and about 8 mm
or the like). In some instances, it may be desirable to dilate the
opening sufficiently to allow for introduction of one or more
portions of a delivery device through the opening. When the tissue
is engaged in the notches (310), the controlled separation between
the notches may provide a predictable, controlled amount of
expansion of the opening.
[0072] To use the piercing device (300), a user may initially
manipulate the first and second grips to position the first and
second blade members in the first configuration (as described
above). In the variation shown in FIG. 3B, this may include
rotating the first grip (312) toward the second grip (314) (e.g.,
by squeezing the first and second grips together). When the
piercing device comprises a range-limiting element that limits the
amount that the first grip (312) may be rotated toward the second
grip (314) (such as range-limiting pin (318) depicted in FIGS. 3A
and 3B), placing the first and second blade members in the first
configuration may comprise rotating the first and second grip
members toward each other until the range-limiting element prevents
further rotation of the grip members. The user may hold the
piercing device (300) in the first configuration, and may advance
the point (306) through tissue to puncture the tissue and form an
opening therein. The first (302) and second (304) blade members may
be advanced into the opening until the notches (310) of the first
and/or second blade members reach and engage the opening. With the
tissue opening engaged by the notch or notches (310), the first and
second grips may be moved to position the first and second blade
members in the second configuration. For example, in the variation
shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the user may release the squeezing force
applied to first (312) and second (314) grips, and the spring
member (316) may cause the first grip (312) to rotate away from the
second grip (314). This in turn may cause the first blade member
(302) to rotate away from the second blade member (304), which may
stretch the opening engaged by the first (302) and second (304)
blade members. In variations where the piercing device comprises a
range-limiting element that limits the amount that the first grip
(312) may rotate away from the second grip (314) (such as the
range-limiting bar (320) depicted in FIGS. 3A and 3B)), the
range-limiting element may limit the stretching of the opening.
[0073] In some variations, the piercing device (300) may also act
as scissors to cut tissue. Specifically, the inner edges (307) of
the first (302) and second (304) blade members may be sharpened,
such that the inner edges (307) may cut tissue positioned
therebetween. For example, the first (302) and second (304) blade
members may be positioned in the second configuration, and the
piercing device (300) may be positioned with the first (302) and
second (304) blade members on either side of a structure to be cut.
When the first (302) and second (304) blade members are moved back
to the first configuration, the sharpened inner edges (305) of the
first (302) and second (304) blade members may cut the structure.
In these variations, the first (302) and second (304) blade members
may be moved to the first configuration to cut tissue (such as the
conjunctiva) to form an opening therein. With the first (302) and
second (304) blade members in the first configuration, the tip
(308) formed by the blade members may be advanced through the
opening, and the first (302) and second (304) blade members may be
moved to the second configuration to stretch or otherwise enlarge
the opening, as described in more detail above.
[0074] FIGS. 4A-4E depict a variation of a method by which the
delivery devices described above may be used to deliver an implant
in the orbit (400) between the lacrimal gland (402) and the frontal
process (404). As shown there, the method may comprise retracting
an eyelid (406), such as shown in FIG. 4A. When the eyelid (406) is
retracted it may be retracted using one or more fingers, or using
one or more devices. For example, in some variations, a hook member
(408) may be used to retract and/or hold the eyelid (406) in a
retracted position. It should also be appreciated that in some
variations, the method does not comprise retracting the eyelid
(406), but instead comprises piercing through eyelid (e.g., using
one or more of the devices described above).
[0075] The method may further comprise piercing the conjunctiva
(410) to form an opening therein. In some variations, a delivery
device (411) comprising a piercing member (412) may be used to
pierce the conjunctiva (410), such as shown in FIG. 4A. The
delivery device may be one of the delivery devices described above
with respect to FIGS. 1A-1H and 2A-2E. In variations where the
piercing member (402) is moveable between a retracted configuration
and a piercing configuration (such as described in more detail
above), the piercing member (412) may be moved to the piercing
configuration, and a piercing tip of the piercing member (412) may
be advanced through the conjunctiva (410) to form an opening
therein. In other variations, the delivery device (411) does not
form the opening in the conjunctiva, but instead a piercing device
(such as those described above with respect to FIGS. 3A and 3B) may
be used to form the opening in the conjunctiva, in a manner as
discussed in more detail above.
[0076] In some variations, the method may further comprise dilating
the opening formed in the conjunctiva (410). In variations where a
piercing member (412) of the delivery device (411) is used to form
the opening in the conjunctiva, the delivery device (411) may be
further advanced into the opening of the conjunctiva to begin
advancing a tongue member (414) of the delivery device (411) into
the opening. As the tongue member (414) is advanced into the
opening, the tongue member (414) may dilate the opening in the
conjunctiva (410) as described above. For example, when the tongue
member (414) has a tapered tip, advancement of the tip through the
opening may dilate the opening. In variations where a piercing
device forms the opening in the conjunctiva (410), the piercing
device may also dilate the opening in the conjunctiva (e.g., by
rotating a first blade member relative to a second blade member,
such as described in more detail above.
[0077] As shown in FIG. 4B, the tongue member (414) may be advanced
through the opening in the conjunctiva to form a pocket between
tissues beyond the conjunctiva. In variations where the tongue
member (414) comprises a piercing member (411), the piercing member
(411) may be placed in a retracted configuration during advancement
of the tongue member (414). In variations where a piercing device
is used to form the opening in the conjunctiva, the piercing device
may be removed once the tongue member (414) has been inserted into
the opening. The tongue member (414) may be advanced to position a
tip of the tongue member (414) at a target position in the orbit
(e.g., between the lacrimal gland (402) and the frontal process
(404) of the orbit (400)). In variations where the delivery device
comprises one or more depth stops or markers, the tongue member
(414) may be advanced until the depth stops or markers reach the
opening in the conjunctiva (410), which may control the depth of
insertion of the tongue member (414).
[0078] Once the tongue member (414) has been advanced to form a
pocket, the delivery device (400) may deliver an implant (416) into
the pocket. For example, in variations where the delivery device
(400) comprises an ejector (418) (such as described in more detail
above), the ejector (418) may deploy the implant (416) (which may
be pre-loaded into the delivery device (411)). For example, a
control slider (420) of the ejector (418) may be advanced relative
to the delivery device (411) to advance a pusher (422) along the
tongue member (414). The pusher (422) in turn may push against the
implant (416) to begin deploying the implant (416) from the tongue
member (414), such as shown in FIG. 4C. In some variations,
advancement of the pusher (422) may be advanced until it contacts
the frontal process (404), the supraorbital process (407), and/or
the upper eyelid as shown in FIG. 4C. In these variations,
engagement between the pusher (422) and the bone may prevent
further advancement of the pusher (422). Continued advancement of
the control slider (420) relative to the delivery device (411) may
instead cause the tongue member (414) to be retracted relative the
orbit (400), which may result in release of the implant into the
pocket formed by the tongue member (414), such as shown in FIG.
4D.
[0079] Following delivery of the implant (416), the devices may be
removed from the orbit (400), and the opening in the conjunctiva
may be closed, as described above. In some variations, the method
may further comprise testing the functionality of the implant. For
example, in some variations the delivery devices described here may
be configured to provide one or more test signals to the implant
(e.g., in instances where the implant comprises a stimulator) which
may test whether the implant is properly positioned and/or is
functioning properly.
[0080] FIG. 7 depicts a delivery system (700) for delivering an
implant (1100) to an orbit of a patient. As shown there, the system
may comprise a cannula (702), a spacer (704), a tongue (706), and a
plunger (708) (although, as discussed in more detail below, the
delivery system may comprise a plunger that may act as both a
spacer and a plunger). Generally, the cannula (702) may be used to
form an opening in a tissue (e.g., an opening in the conjunctiva,
an opening in the eyelid and the conjunctiva, or the like) and may
separate tissue beyond the opening to a pocket in the tissue (e.g.,
the pocket may be formed between the periosteum and the orbital
bone, between the periosteum and the lacrimal gland, or the like).
The spacer (704) may be advanced through a portion of the cannula
and into the tissue opening. As the spacer (704) is advanced
through the tissue opening, the spacer (704) may expand the tissue
opening and the pocket. The tongue (706) may be advanced through
the cannula and through the tissue opening, and may further
separate tissue to extend the length of the pocket. With the tongue
(706) is positioned through the tissue opening, the spacer (704)
may be removed and an implant may be advanced through the cannula
(702) using the plunger (708). The plunger (708) may also advance
the implant through the tissue opening to position the implant in
the pocket. Once the implant is positioned in the pocket, the
components of the delivery device may be withdrawn from the body,
and the tissue opening may be closed in any manner such as
discussed above. The components of the delivery system (700), as
well as the steps of using the delivery system (700) to deliver an
implant, will each be described in more detail below.
[0081] FIGS. 8A-8C show perspective, top, and side views,
respectively, of a variation of the cannula (702) of the delivery
system (700) of FIG. 7. As shown there, the cannula (702) may
comprise a top wall (800), bottom wall (802) and first and second
side walls (each labeled as (804)), which together may define a
channel (806) extending between an inlet (808) and an outlet (810).
While the top wall (800) only extends partially along the channel
(806) in the variation shown in FIGS. 8A-8C, it should be
appreciated that in other variations the top wall (800) may extend
along the entire length of the channel (806). The channel (806) may
allow for the cannula (702) to guide one or more components
relative to the cannula (702), as will be described in more detail
below. Each of the walls of the cannula (702) may be formed
together as a unitary piece, or some walls may be formed separately
and attached (e.g., via bonding, welding, or the like). For
example, in some variations, the bottom wall (802) and the first
and second side walls (804) may be formed together as a single
piece, and the top wall (800) may be formed separately from and may
be subsequently attached to the side walls (804). In some of these
variations, the bottom wall (802) and the first and second side
walls (802) may be formed from a first material or materials (e.g.,
one or more metals, plastics, polymers, or the like), and the top
wall (800) may be formed from a second material or materials (e.g.,
one or more metals, plastics, polymers, or the like) which may be
different from the first material or materials.
[0082] Also shown in FIGS. 8A-8C are blade (812) and stop bar
(814). The blade (812) may be positioned and arranged to extend
beyond the outlet (810) of the channel (806). In the variation
shown in FIGS. 8A-8C, the blade (812) may extend from the top wall
(800) (e.g., the blade (812) may be formed as part of the top wall
(800), or may be formed separately from the top wall (800) and
attached thereto). The blade (812) may include a piercing tip (816)
configured to puncture tissue to form an opening in tissue (e.g.,
an opening in the conjunctiva, an opening in the eyelid, or the
like). In some variations, the width of the blade (812) may be
tapered from the piercing tip (816) (i.e., the width of the blade
(812) may increase proximally from the piercing tip (816)), such
that advancement of the blade (812) into a tissue opening may
expand the tissue opening by increasing the width of the blade
(812) positioned in the tissue opening. In some variations, the
blade (812) may include one or more cutting edges (818), which may
be configured to cut tissue as the blade (812) is advanced into the
tissue opening to facilitate dilation of the tissue opening.
Additionally, as the blade is inserted past the tissue opening, the
blade (812) may separate tissue past the tissue opening to form a
pocket in the orbit. In some instances, the blade (812) may be
advanced between the periosteum and the orbital bone to form a
pocket therebetween. In other instances, the blade (812) may be
advanced between the periosteum and another tissue, such as the
lacrimal gland, to form a pocket therebetween.
[0083] While shown in FIGS. 8A-8C as having a stop bracket (814),
it should be appreciated that the cannula (702) need not comprise a
stop bracket (814). In variations where the cannula (702) comprises
a stop bracket (814), the stop bracket (814) may be configured to
limit the advancement of the blade (812) through tissue.
Specifically, the stop bracket (814) may be configured to engage a
tissue structure during advancement of the blade (812) through a
tissue opening, whereby the engagement between the stop bracket
(814) and the tissue structure may limit further advancement of the
blade (812) into the tissue opening. For example, when the blade
(812) is used to form an opening through an eyelid and/or the
conjunctiva (as will described in more detail below), the stop
bracket (814) may be configured to engage tissue overlying orbital
fossa (e.g., the supraorbital process, the orbital process of the
zygomatic bone, or the like) to limit further advancement of the
blade when the stop bracket (814) engages the orbital fossa.
[0084] As shown in FIGS. 8A-8C, the stop bracket (814) may extend
away from the top wall (800) by a height (H). The height (H)
between the stop bracket (814) and the top wall (800) may be any
suitable value, such as, for example, about 1 cm, between about
0.75 and about 1.25 cm, at least about 0.75 cm and the like. As
used here, "about" means.+-.5%. For example, the height may be
configured such that the stop bracket (814) is tall enough to
engage tissue of the orbital fossa when the blade (812) is advanced
between the eye and the orbital fossa. Additionally, in some
variations the stop bracket (814) may be configured to define an
aperture (820) between the stop bracket (814) and cannula (702)
(e.g., between the stop bracket (814) and the top wall (800) of the
cannula (702)). The aperture (820) may be sized and configured to
allow one or more components of delivery system (700) to be
advanced through the aperture (820) during use of the delivery
system (700), as will be described in more detail below.
[0085] In some variations, the stop bracket (814) may be angled
relative to the longitudinal axis of the cannula (700), which may
facilitate creation of an opening in the left or right orbit of a
patient. Specifically, the stop bracket (814) may be angled to
accommodate the contours of the left or right orbit to help
increase the surface contact between the stop bracket (814) and the
orbital fossa during advancement of the cannula (700). As shown in
FIG. 8B, the stop bracket (814) may be positioned at an angle
(.theta.) relative to the longitudinal axis (822) of the cannula
(700) in a clockwise direction. The angle (.theta.) may be any
suitable angle. In some variations, the angle (.theta.) may be
about 90 degrees, such that the stop bracket (814) is perpendicular
to the longitudinal axis (822) of the cannula (700). In these
variations, the cannula (700) may be used to form an opening in
either the left orbit or the right orbit, as a similar amount of
the stop bracket (814) will contact each orbit when a blade (812)
is inserted between the eye and the orbital fossa. In other
variations, the angle (.theta.) may be less than 90 degrees. For
example, in the variation shown in FIG. 8B, the angle (.theta.) may
be about 45 degrees. An angle (.theta.) less than 90 degrees may
increase the contact area between the stop bracket (814) and the
orbital fossa of a patient's right orbit during advancement of the
blade (812) into the right orbit. Conversely, in other variations,
the angle (.theta.) may be greater than 90 degrees, which may
facilitate the formation of a tissue opening in the left orbit. For
example, in some variations, the angle (.theta.) may be about 135.
An angle (.theta.) greater than 90 degrees may increase the contact
area between the stop bracket (814) and the left orbit during
advancement of the blade (812) into the left orbit. It should be
appreciate that, depending on the intended angle of insertion of
the blade (812) relative to tissue, the angled stop brackets (814)
may be used to facilitate formation of tissue openings in either
orbits. For example, a cannula (700) with a stop bracket (814) at
an angle (.theta.) greater than 90 degrees may be used to create an
opening in the right orbit. In other instances, a cannula (700)
with a stop bracket (814) at an angle (.theta.) less than 90
degrees may be used to create an opening in the left orbit.
[0086] Returning to FIG. 7, the delivery system (700) may further
comprise a spacer (704). Generally, the spacer (704) may be sized
to fit within and extend through the channel (806) of the cannula
(702). The spacer (7040 may be advanced through the channel (806)
of the cannula to advance a distal end of the spacer (704) distally
of the outlet (810) of the cannula (702). This may introduce the
distal end of the spacer (704) into the tissue opening, which may
dilate or otherwise expand the tissue opening (and in some
instances a portion of the pocket). For example, the spacer (704)
may have a dilating tip (710) at the distal end of the spacer
(704), which may be configured to dilate the tissue opening and
pocket formed by the blade (812) of the cannula (702). As shown in
FIG. 7, the width and height of the dilating tip (706) may be
tapered. In some of these variations, the tapering width of the
dilating tip (706) may match the tapering width of the blade (812)
of the cannula (702), although it should be appreciated that in
some instances the surfaces of the dilating tip (706) may be
rounded or otherwise dull to limit the ability of the dilating tip
(706) to cut or sever tissue. As the dilating tip (706) is
introduced through the tissue opening and into the pocket, the
increasing height of the dilating tip (706) may dilate the tissue
opening and the pocket.
[0087] In some variations, the spacer (704) may comprise a lip
(712). In some variations, the lip (712) may catch or otherwise
engage the inlet (808) of the cannula (702) during advancement of
the spacer (704) to limit further advancement of the spacer (704).
In some variations, the spacer (704) and cannula (702) may be sized
such that when the lip (712) engages the inlet (808) of the cannula
(702), the distal end of the dilating tip (706) is aligned with the
distal end of the blade (812). In variations where the tapering
width of the dilating tip (706) matches the tapering width of the
blade (812), the edges of the dilating tip (706) may also be
aligned with the edges of the blade (812) when the lip (712)
engages the inlet (808) of the cannula (702).
[0088] The tongue (706) may be configured for advancement through
the channel (806) of the cannula (702) while the spacer (704) is
positioned to extend through the channel (806). Accordingly, the
tongue (706), the spacer (704) and the channel (806) may each be
sized such that the tongue (706) and spacer (704) may
simultaneously fit inside the channel (806). As shown in FIG. 7,
the tongue (706) may have a tapered tip (714) in which the width of
the tongue (706) tapers. In some variations, the tapering width of
the tongue (706) may match the tapering width of the dilating tip
(706) of the spacer (704) and/or the tapering width of the blade
(812) of the cannula (702), but need not. In some variations, the
tongue (706) may further comprise a stop (716) configured to limit
advancement of the tongue (706) through the channel (806) of the
cannula. In some instances, the stop (716) may be a portion of the
tongue having an increased width or height (such as a lip, or the
like), which may catch on the inlet (808) of the channel (806) to
prevent further advancement of the tongue (706) relative to the
cannula (702). In some variations, the tongue (706) and cannula
(702) may be sized such that when the stop (716) of the tongue
(706) engages the inlet (808) of the channel (806) of the cannula
(702), the tip of the tongue (706) may extend distally of the blade
(812) of the cannula (702). In these variations, the tongue (706)
may further separate tissue to extend the length of the pocket.
Additionally, in variations where the tongue (706) comprises a
tapered tip (714), the tapered width of the tapered tip (714) may
facilitate separation of tissue. In other variations, the tongue
(706) and cannula (702) may be sized such that when the stop (716)
of the tongue (706) engages the inlet (808) of the cannula (702),
the distal tip of the tongue (706) may be aligned with the distal
tip of the blade (812) of the cannula (702). When the tongue (706)
is positioned in the cannula (702), the tongue (706) may aid in
insertion of the implant into tissue, as described in more detail
below.
[0089] As mentioned above, the delivery system (700) may also
comprise a plunger (708) which may be advanced into the channel
(806) of the cannula (702) to advance an implant through the
channel (806). FIG. 9 shows a side view of one variation of a
plunger (708) suitable for use with the delivery system of FIG. 7.
As shown there, the plunger (708) may comprise a plunger portion
(900) sized and configured to be inserted into the channel (806) of
the cannula (702) through the inlet (808). The plunger (708) may
further comprise a stopper portion (902) connected to a distal
portion of the plunger portion (900) via a transition region (904).
The stopper portion (902) may be a portion of the plunger (708)
configured to remain outside of the channel (806) when the plunger
portion (900) is inserted into the channel (806). For example, in
the variation of the cannula (702) shown in FIGS. 8A-8C, the top
wall (800) may include a slot (824) extending at least partially
along the channel (806) (which in some variations may extend from
the inlet (808)). In some variations, the slot (824) may extend
along the entire length of the channel (806). When the plunger
portion (900) is inserted into the channel (806), the transition
region (904) may extend through the slot (824) to position the
stopper portion (902) outside of the channel (806). In some
instances, the plunger portion (900) and stopper portion (902) may
each be wider than the slot (824) of the top wall (800), such that
when the transition region (904) is positioned at least partially
into the slot (824), the plunger portion (900) may be prevented
from exiting the channel (806) through the slot (824) of the top
wall (800) and the stopper portion (902) may be prevented from
entering the channel (806) through the slot (824) of the top wall
(800). Similarly, the transition region (904) may be narrower than
the slot (824) to allow the transition region (904) to enter the
slot (824) during advancement of the plunger (708).
[0090] In some variations, a distal portion of the stopper portion
(902) may extend distally of the distal end of the transition
region (904) to define a space (906) between the distal portion of
the stopper portion (902) and the plunger portion (900). This space
(906) may allow the distal end of the stopper portion (902) to be
advanced distally of the distal end of the slot (824) of the top
wall (800). Specifically, the distal end of the transition region
(904) may prevent further advancement of the plunger (708) relative
to the cannula (702) when the distal end of the transition region
(904) reaches and engages the distal end of the slot (824). In
variations where the distal end of the stopper portion (902) is
flush with the distal end of the transition region (904), the
distal end of the stopper portion (902) may be aligned with the
distal end of the slot (824) when the distal end of the transition
region (904) reaches the distal end of the slot (824). In
variations where the distal end of stopper portion (902) extends
distally of the distal end of the transition region (904), the top
wall (800) may be received in the space (906) between the stopper
portion (902) and the plunger portion (900) until the distal end of
the transition region (904) reaches the distal end of the slot
(824) to prevent further advancement of the plunger (708) relative
to the cannula (702). At this point, the distal end of the stopper
portion (902) may extend distally of the distal end of the slot
(824) of the top wall (800). Additionally or alternatively, the
plunger (708) may be sized and configured such that a distal end of
the plunger portion (900) may extend distally of the outlet (810)
of the channel (806) when the transition region (904) reaches the
distal end of the slot (824). Additionally, in variations where the
cannula (702) comprises a stop bracket (814) having an aperture
(820) extending therethrough, a distal portion of the stopper
portion (902) may be sized to fit through the aperture (820) of the
stop bracket (812), which may allow the stopper portion (902) to be
advanced through the aperture (820) during advancement of the
plunger (708) relative to the cannula (702).
[0091] While the variation of the delivery system (700) depicted in
FIG. 7 is shown as having a plunger (708) that is separate from the
spacer (704), it should be appreciated that in other variations the
delivery system (700) may include a single member that may act as
both a plunger and a spacer. For example, FIG. 10 shows one such
variation of a plunger (1000) that may be used with the delivery
system (700). As shown there, the plunger (1000) may comprise a
first end having a dilating tip (1002). The dilating tip (1002) may
be configured in any manner as described above with respect to the
dilating tip (710) of the spacer (702) of FIG. 7. In these
variations, the first end of the plunger (1000) may be inserted
into the channel (806) of a cannula (702) to act as a spacer (704),
as will be discussed in more detail below.
[0092] The plunger (1000) may further comprise a second end may be
configured to include one or more elements of the plunger (708)
described above with respect to FIG. 9. Specifically, the second
end of the plunger (1000) may comprise a plunger portion (1004) and
a stopper portion (1006) connected to the plunger portion (1004) by
a transition region (1008). The plunger portion (1004) of the
second end of the plunger (1000) may be inserted into the channel
(806) of the cannula (700), and the stopper portion (1006) may be
configured to remain outside of the channel (806) when the plunger
portion (1004) of the second end is inserted into the channel
(806). In some variations, such as shown in FIG. 10, a distal end
of the stopper portion (1006) may extend distally of the transition
region (1008) to define a space (1010) between the stopper portion
(1006) and the plunger portion (1004) of second end of the plunger
(1000). In these variations, a portion of the top wall (800) may be
received in the space (1010) during advancement of the second end
of the plunger (1000) into the channel (806) of the cannula (702).
Additionally, a proximal end of the transition region (1008) and/or
the stopper portion (1006) may act as a stop to limit advancement
of the dilating tip (1002) of the first end of the plunger (1000)
into the cannula (700).
[0093] FIGS. 11A-11I depict an illustrative method by which the
delivery system (700) described above with respect to FIGS. 7-10
may be used to deliver an implant (1100) to the orbit of a patient.
The cannula (702) may be advanced toward the orbit of a patient as
illustrated in FIG. 11A, and the blade (812) may be advanced to
pierce tissue of the patient to form an opening therein. In some
variations, the piercing tip (816) of the blade (812) may puncture
the conjunctiva to form a tissue opening in the conjunctiva. In
some of these variations, the method may comprise retracting an
eyelid prior to piercing the conjunctiva. In other variations, the
piercing tip (816) of the blade (812) may puncture the eyelid to
form a tissue opening in the eyelid. The blade (812) may be further
advanced relative to the tissue opening to separate tissue beyond
the opening to form a pocket in the tissue. In some variations, the
blade (812) may be advanced between the periosteum and the orbital
bone to form a pocket therebetween. In other instances, the blade
(812) may be advanced between the periosteum and another tissue,
such as the lacrimal gland, to form a pocket therebetween. In
variations where the width of the blade (812) tapers, advancement
of the blade (812) through the tissue opening may dilate the tissue
opening. Additionally, in variations where the cannula (700)
comprises a stop bracket (814), the cannula (700) may be advanced
to advance the blade (812) into tissue until the stop bracket (814)
contacts tissue (e.g., tissue overlying the orbital fossa such as
shown in FIG. 11A), which may prevent or otherwise limit further
advancement of the cannula relative to tissue.
[0094] With the blade (812) positioned to extend through the tissue
opening, the spacer (704) may be introduce into and advanced
through the channel (806) of the cannula (700), as illustrated in
FIG. 11B, and may be further advanced to position a dilating tip
distally of the outlet (810) of the channel (806). This advancement
may advance the dilating tip (710) of the spacer (704) through the
tissue opening and into the pocket, as illustrated in FIG. 11C. As
the dilating tip (710) passes through the tissue opening and into
the pocket, the dilating tip (710) may dilate the tissue opening
and the pocket. While the dilating tip (710) of the spacer (704) is
shown in FIGS. 11B and 11C as expanding the tissue opening and the
pocket, it should be appreciated that in some variations, the
dilating tip (1002) of the first end of plunger (1000) described
above with respect to FIG. 10 may be instead be advanced into the
cannula (700) as described above.
[0095] Generally, the dilating tip (710) may be introduced into the
channel (806) through an inlet (808) of the channel, advanced
through the channel (806), and out of the outlet (810) of the
channel (806). In some variations, the dilating tip (710) may be
advanced into the pocket until the distal end of the dilating tip
(710) is aligned with a distal tip of the blade (812). In some
instances, the dilating tip of the spacer (or plunger) may be
advanced through the cannula until a portion of the spacer (or
plunger) engages the inlet (808) of the channel (806) of the
cannula (702). For example, in variations where the spacer (704)
comprises a lip (712), the spacer (704) may be advanced through the
channel (806) of the cannula (700) until the lip (712) catches on
the inlet (808) of the channel (806) (e.g., the engagement between
the lip (712) and the inlet (808) may prevent further advancement
of the spacer (704) relative to the cannula (700)), such as shown
in FIG. 11C. In variations where a dilating tip (1002) of a plunger
(1000) is advanced through the cannula, the plunger (1000) may be
advanced through the channel (806) of the cannula (700) until a
portion of the stopper portion (1006) and/or transition region
(1008) of the second end of the plunger (1000) catches on the inlet
(808) of the channel (806) (e.g., the engagement between the
stopper portion (1006) and/or transition region (1008) and the
inlet (808) may prevent further advancement of the plunger (1000)
relative to the cannula (700)).
[0096] With the blade (816) of the cannula (700) and the dilating
tip of either a spacer or a plunger positioned to extend through
the tissue opening, the tongue (706) may be advanced through the
channel (806) of the cannula (700), as shown in FIG. 11C, and may
be advanced out of the outlet (808) of the channel (806) of the
cannula (700) to advance a distal tip of the tongue (706) through
the tissue opening and into the pocket, as shown in FIG. 11D. In
some of these variations, the tip of the tongue may be advanced
distally of the tip of the blade and the dilating tip of the spacer
(or plunger), which may further separate tissue to extend the
length of the pocket. In some instances, the tongue (706) may be
advanced through the cannula (700) between the spacer (or plunger)
and the top wall (800) of the cannula. In variations where the
tongue (706) comprises a stop (716), the tongue may be advanced
until the stop (716) engages the inlet (808) of the channel (806)
of the cannula (702), which in turn may control how far the tip of
the tongue (706) is advanced into the orbit.
[0097] The spacer (or plunger) may be removed from the tissue
opening and channel (806) (e.g., by proximally withdrawing the
spacer or plunger relative to the cannula (702)), and the implant
(1100) may be inserted into the channel (806) (e.g., by inserting
the implant (1100) into the inlet (808) of the channel (806)), such
as shown in FIG. 11E. In some instances, the implant (1100) may be
positioned between the tongue (706) and the top wall (800) of the
cannula (700). With the implant positioned in the channel (806), a
plunger portion (900) of the plunger (708) may be advanced into the
channel (806), such as shown in FIG. 11F. As shown there, the
plunger portion (900) may be positioned between the tongue (706)
and the top wall (800), and the stopper portion (902) may be
positioned outside of the channel (806) (e.g., the transition
region (904) may extend through the slot (824) in the top wall
(800) of the cannula). As the plunger (708) is advanced into the
channel (806), a portion of the plunger (708) (e.g. the plunger
portion (900)) may contact the implant (1100) and push the implant
(1100) along the channel (806).
[0098] In some variations, the plunger (708) may advance the
implant (1100) until the stopper portion (902) contacts tissue
(e.g., tissue overlying the orbital fossa), such as shown in FIG.
11G. In variations where the cannula (702) has a stop bracket (814)
defining an aperture (820) extending therethrough, the stopper
portion (902) may extend at least partially through the aperture
(820) to contact tissue. In some variations, the plunger (708) may
be configured such that when the stopper portion (902) of the
plunger (708) engages tissue (e.g., to prevent further advancement
of the plunger), the plunger portion (900) has advanced the implant
(1100) distally of the outlet (810) of the channel (806) of the
cannula (702), through the tissue opening, and into the pocket,
such as depicted in FIG. 11G. In these variations, the blade (816)
and the tongue (706) may guide advancement of the implant (1100)
after the implant (1100) has been advanced out of the outlet (810)
of the channel (806).
[0099] A user may hold the stopper portion (902) against the
patient, and may withdraw the cannula (702) and the tongue (704)
relative to the plunger (708) to withdraw the blade (816) and the
distal tip of the tongue (704) at least partially from the tissue
opening and pocket, such as shown in FIG. 11H. As the cannula (702)
and the tongue (706) are withdrawn relative to plunger (708), the
plunger portion (900) of the plunger (708) may contact and hold the
implant (1100) in place, and thus may prevent the implant (1100)
from being withdrawn with the cannula (702) and the tongue (706).
In variations where the stopper portion (902) of the plunger (708)
extends distally of the transition region (904), the cannula (702)
may be withdrawn relative to the plunger (708) until the distal end
of the slot (824) engages the transition region (904), at which
point further retraction of the cannula (702) relative to the
patient may also pull the plunger (708) proximally relative to the
patient, such as shown in FIG. 11I, which may disengage the entire
delivery system (700) from the patient. It should be appreciated
that while the plunger (708) described above with respect to FIG. 9
is depicted in FIGS. 11F-11I as advancing implant (1100), the
second end of the plunger (1000) described above with respect to
FIG. 10 may be used to advance the implant (1100) in the manner
discussed immediately above. Once the delivery system (700) has
been removed from the patient, the tissue opening may be closed in
any suitable manner such as those discussed above.
[0100] In some instances, one or more components of the delivery
systems (700) described above with respect FIGS. 7-10 may be
integrated into single device. For example, FIGS. 12A-12I depict a
variation a delivery device (1200) as described here. As shown
there, the delivery device (1200) may comprise a cannula (1202), a
tongue (1204), and a plunger (1206). The cannula (1202) may define
a channel (1208) extending between an inlet (1210) and an outlet
(1212), and the tongue (1204) and plunger (1206) may be slidably
connected to the cannula (1202) to extend at least partially
through the channel (1208). In some variations, the outlet (1212)
may be angled, such that the height of the channel (1208) increases
from a distal end of the outlet (1212) to a proximal end of the
outlet (1212). In these variations, the walls of the cannula (1202)
defining the outlet (1212) may dilate a tissue opening as the
cannula (1202) is advanced into a tissue opening.
[0101] FIG. 12I depicts a top view of the cannula (1202) (the
remaining components of the delivery device (1200) are not
illustrated in this figure). As shown there, the cannula (1202) may
further comprise a top wall (1214) having a slot (1216) extending
at least partially along the channel (1208). In some of these
variations, the slot (1216) may extend at least partially along the
channel (1208) from an inlet (1210) of the channel (1208). A
portion of the plunger (1206) may extend through the slot (1216) of
the top wall (1214), as will be discussed in more detail below. In
some variations, such as shown in FIG. 12I, the slot (1216) may
comprise a proximal segment (1234), a distal segment (1236), and an
intermediate segment (1238) between the proximal segment (1234) and
the distal segment (1236). The width of the intermediate segment
(1238) may be wider than the widths of the proximal segment (1234)
and the distal segment (1236). In some instances, an implant may be
inserted into the channel (1208) of the cannula (1202) via the
intermediate segment (1238). In these variations, the width of the
intermediate segment (1238) may be greater than a width of the
implant, which may allow the implant to enter the channel (1208)
through the intermediate segment (1238). In some of these
variations, the width of the distal segment (1236) of the slot
(1216) may be less than the width of the implant, which may prevent
the implant from exiting the channel (1208) through the distal
segment (1236) as the implant is advanced through the channel
(1208) of the cannula (1202).
[0102] The cannula (1202) may further comprise a blade (1218),
which may be configured in any suitable manner such as described
above with respect to the blade (812) of the cannula (702)
described above with respect to FIGS. 8A-8C above. For example, the
blade (1218) may include a piercing tip (1220), which may puncture
tissue to form a tissue opening. In some variations, the width of
the blade (1218) may be tapered such that the width of the blade
(1218) increases proximally from the piercing tip (1220). In these
instances, advancement of the blade (1218) into the tissue opening
may dilate the tissue opening. The blade (1218) may optionally
further comprise one or more cutting edges (1222), which may
configured to cut tissue as the blade (1218) is advanced into the
tissue opening (which may facilitate expansion of the tissue
opening). Additionally, in some variations the cannula (1202) may
further comprise a stop bracket (1224), which may be configured as
any of the variations of the stop bracket (814) described above
with respect to FIGS. 8A-8C. Generally, the stop bracket (814) may
extend away from the top wall (1214) by a height which may allow
the stop bracket (814) to engage the tissue (e.g., tissue overlying
the orbital fossa) during advancement of the blade (1218) into the
tissue opening. In some variations, the stop bracket (1224) may
comprise an aperture (1226) extending through the stop bracket
(1224). A portion of the plunger (1206) may extend through the
aperture (1226) during use of the delivery device (1200), as will
be discussed in more detail below. Additionally, the stop bracket
(814) may be positioned at any angle relative the longitudinal axis
of the cannula (1202) as discussed above with respect to the stop
bracket (814) of FIGS. 8A-8C.
[0103] As mentioned above, the plunger (1206) may be slidably
connected to the cannula (1202). In some variations, the plunger
(1206) may comprise a plunger portion (1228) and a stopper portion
(1230), wherein the plunger portion (1228) is positioned at least
partially in the channel (1208) and the stopper portion (1230) is
positioned outside of the channel (1208). The stopper portion
(1230) and plunger portion (1228) may be configured in any manner
as described above with respect to the plunger portion (900) and
stopper portion (902) described above with respect to the plunger
(708) of FIG. 9. For example, in some variations, the stopper
portion (1230) may be connected to the plunger portion (1228) by a
transition region, which may extend through the slot (1216) of the
top wall (1214). In some of these variations, the distal end of the
stopper portion (1230) may extend distally of the distal end of the
transition region to define a space between the distal portion of
the stopper portion and the plunger portion.
[0104] In some instances, the stopper portion (1230) and/or the
transition region may control the range of motion of the plunger
(1206) relative to the cannula (1202). For example, in some
variations, a proximal end of the stopper portion (1230) and/or
transition region may engage a portion of the cannula (1202) during
withdrawal of the plunger (1206) to prevent further withdrawal of
the plunger (1206) (which may prevent the plunger (1206) from being
removed from the channel (1208) of the cannula (1202)). For
example, the cannula (1202) may comprise a projection such as a bar
(1232) which may be connected to the cannula (1202). The bar (1232)
may be positioned relative to the plunger (1206) such that a
proximal end of the stopper portion (1230) of the plunger (1206)
contacts the bar (1232) when the plunger (1206) is retracted
relative to the cannula (1202), such as shown in FIGS. 12A-12D. The
contact between the plunger (1206) and the bar (1232) may prevent
further retraction of the plunger (1206) relative to the cannula
(1202). Similarly, a portion of the plunger (1206) may limit the
distal advancement of the plunger (1206) relative to the cannula
(1202). In some variations, the plunger (1206) may be advanced
until the transition region contacts a distal end of the slot
(1216), which may prevent further advancement of the plunger (1206)
relative to the cannula (1202). In variations where a distal end of
the stopper portion (1230) extends distally of the distal end of a
transition region, the plunger (1206) may be advanced relative to
the cannula (1202) until a distal end of the transition region
contacts a distal end of the slot (1216), such as shown in FIGS.
12E and 12G. In these variations, the distal end of the stopper
portion (1230) may extend distally of the distal end of the slot
(1216), and in some instances may extend at least partially through
the aperture (1226) of the stop bracket (1224). Additionally or
alternatively, the distal end of the plunger portion (1228) may
extend distally of the distal end of the slot (1216) when the
distal end of the transition region contacts the distal end of the
slot (1216). In some of these variations, the distal end of the
plunger portion (1228) may extend distally of the outlet (1212) of
the channel (1208) when the distal end of the transition region
contacts the distal end of the slot (1216).
[0105] It should be also be appreciated that in some instances the
delivery device (1200) may be temporarily configured to prevent
advancement of the plunger (1206) between the retracted position
shown in FIGS. 12A-12D and the extended position shown in FIGS. 12E
and 12G. In some variations, the delivery device (1200) may
comprise an intermediate stop, which may temporarily limit
advancement of the plunger (1206) between the retracted and
extended positions. For example, FIGS. 13A-13D depict a variation
of the cannula (1202) of the delivery device (1200) of FIGS.
12A-12I with the plunger (1206) and tongue (1204) removed. As shown
there, the cannula (1202) may comprise a bumper plate (1300). The
bumper plate (1300) may be moveable between a lowered position (as
shown in rear and front perspective views in FIGS. 13A and 13C) and
a raised position (as shown in rear and front perspective views in
FIGS. 13B and 13D). When the bumper plate (1300) is in the lowered
position, the bumper plate (1300) may block advancement of the
plunger (1206) to the extended position shown in FIGS. 12E and 12G.
For example, the plunger (1206) may be advanced with the bumper
plate (1300) in the lower position until the stopper portion (1230)
reaches and contacts the bumper plate (1300). The engagement
between the stopper portion (1230) and the bumper plate (1300) may
temporarily prevent further advancement of the plunger (1206)
relative to the cannula (1202). Conversely, when the bumper plate
(1300) is in the raised position, the stopper portion (1230) may
pass under the bumper plate (1300) and may allow the plunger (1206)
to be advanced to the extended position.
[0106] The bumper plate (1300) may be moved between the lowered and
raised positions in any suitable manner. For example, in some
variations the delivery device (1200) may comprise one or more
spring elements (1304) connecting the bumper plate (1300) to the
cannula (1202). While shown in FIGS. 13A-13D as being a beam
springs, the spring elements (1304) may be any suitable spring
(e.g., a compression spring, a torsion spring, or the like).
Additionally, while shown in FIGS. 13A-13D as having two spring
elements (1304), the bumper plate (1300) may comprise any suitable
number of spring elements (1304) (e.g., one, two, or three or
more). In some variations, the one or more spring elements (1304)
may be biased toward the lowered position. In these variations, a
control (such as a switch, lever, or the like) may be actuated to
lift the bumper plate (1300) to overcome the bias of the one or
more spring elements (1304) and raise the bumper plate (1300) to
the raised position. In other variations, such as that shown in
FIGS. 13A-13D, the one or more spring elements (1304) may bias the
bumper toward the raised position. In these variations, a control
element may temporarily hold the bumper plate (1300) in the lowered
position.
[0107] For example, in the variation of the cannula (1202) shown in
FIGS. 13A-13D, the cannula (1202) may comprise a release bracket
(1308), which may be position and arranged to temporarily hold the
bumper plate (1300) in the lowered position. For example, the
release bracket (1304) may comprise one or more projections (1306)
or lips, or may otherwise be configured to engage the release
bracket (1308) when the bumper plate (1300) is in the lowered
position to hold bumper plate (1300) in the lowered position. To
move the bumper plate (1300) to the raised position, a user may
deflect or otherwise move the release bracket (1308) away from the
bumper plate (1300), which may temporarily disengage the release
bracket (1308) from the bumper plate (1300). When the release
bracket (1308) is disengaged from the bumper plate (1300), the one
or more spring elements (1304) may lift the bumper plate (1300) to
the raised position. In some variations, the cannula (1202) may
optionally further comprise a structure (such as a stop bar (1310))
positioned to contact the bumper plate (1300) and/or the one or
more spring elements (1304) to limit the upward motion of the
bumper plate (1300), which in turn may control the raised position
of the bumper plate (1300).
[0108] In some variations, the bumper plate (1300) may be further
configured to temporarily limit advancement of the implant relative
to the bumper plate (1300). For example, in the variation of the
cannula (1202) shown in FIGS. 13A-13D, the bumper plate (1300) may
comprise an extension (1312) positioned and arranged to extend into
the channel (1208) when the bumper plate (1300) is in the lowered
position. For example, extension (1312) of the bumper plate (1300)
may extend through the intermediate segment (1238) and/or the
distal segment (1236) of the slot (1216) when the bumper plate
(1300) is in the lowered position. When an implant is inserted into
the channel (1208) (i.e., through the intermediate segment (1238)),
the implant may be advanced until it contacts the extension (1312).
The extension (1312) may be sized such that the implant may be
prevented from being advanced distally of the extension (1312) when
the extension (1312) is positioned in the channel (1208). When the
bumper plate (1300) is move to the raised position, the extension
(1312) may be removed from the channel (1208), which may allow the
implant to be advanced distally of the bumper plate (1300) as will
be discussed in more detail below. While the delivery device (1200)
is depicted in FIGS. 12A-12I and 13A-13D as having a bumper plate
as an intermediate stop, it should be appreciated that in other
variations the delivery device (1200) may comprise a plug or other
component which may be removably connected to the cannula (1202) to
limit advancement of the plunger (1206) to the extended position
while the plug is connected to the cannula (1202). The plug may in
turn be disconnected from the cannula (1202) to allow further
advancement of the plunger (1206). Additionally, the plug may
further comprise an extension positioned to extend into the channel
(1208) when the plug is connected to the cannula (1202), which may
temporarily prevent advancement of an implant relative to the plug,
such as discussed above with respect to the extension (1312) of the
bumper plate (1300).
[0109] Returning to FIGS. 12A-12H, the delivery device (1200) may
comprise a tongue (1204) slidably connected to the cannula (1202),
wherein the tongue (1204) extends at least partially through the
channel (1208) of the cannula (1202). In some variations, the
plunger portion (1228) of the plunger (1206) may be positioned
between the tongue (1204) and the top wall (1214) of the cannula
(1202). The tongue (1204) may be moved between a retracted position
(as shown in FIGS. 12A-12D), in which a distal tip of the tongue
(1204) is positioned in the channel (1208), and an advanced
position (as shown in FIGS. 12E-12H), in which a distal tip of the
tongue (1204) extends distally out of the outlet (1212) of the
cannula (1202). In some of these variations, the tongue (1204) may
extend distally of the distal tip of the blade (1218) of the
cannula (1202) when the tongue is in the advanced position. As the
distal tip of the tongue (1204) is advanced distally of the blade
(1218), the tongue (1204) may further separate tissue to extend the
length of the pocket.
[0110] In some variations, the tongue (1204) may comprise a handle
(1240) at a proximal end thereof, which a user may grasp to
facilitate movement of the tongue (1204) relative to the cannula
(1202). In some instances, the handle (1240) of the tongue (1204)
may limit movement of the tongue (1204) relative to the cannula
(1202). For example, in some variations the handle (1240) may be
sized such it may be prevented from entering the inlet (1210) of
the channel (1208) of the cannula (1202). In these variations, the
tongue (1204) may be advanced relative to the cannula (1202) until
the handle (1240) of the tongue (1204) contacts the inlet (1210)
(such as shown in FIGS. 12E-12H), which may prevent further
advancement of the tongue (1204) and thereby set the advanced
position of the tongue (1204).
[0111] Additionally or alternatively, in some variations the handle
(1240) of the tongue (1204) may limit retraction of the tongue
(1204) relative to the cannula (1202). For example, in the
variation of the delivery device (1200) shown in FIGS. 12A-12H, the
plunger (1206) may comprise a handle (1242) at a proximal end of
the plunger (1206). In some variations, the handle (1240) of the
tongue (1204) may be prevented from being withdrawn proximally of
the handle (1242) of the plunger (1206). For example, in some of
these variations, a portion of the handle (1240) of the tongue
(1204) may at least partially surround the plunger (1206) to
slidably connect the handle (1240) of the tongue (1204) to the
plunger (1206). In these variations, the handle (1240) of the
tongue (1204) may be withdrawn relative to the cannula (1202) and
the plunger (1206) until the handle (1240) of the tongue (1204)
reaches the handle (1242) of the plunger (1206), such as shown in
FIGS. 12A-12D. The handle (1242) of the plunger (1206) may be sized
or shaped such that the handle (1242) of the plunger (1206)
prevents further withdrawal of the handle (1240) of the tongue
(1204) when the handle (1240) of the tongue (1204) contacts the
handle (1242) of the plunger (1206).
[0112] In some variations, the delivery device (1200) may further
comprise a biasing member (1244) connected to the cannula (1202).
Generally, the biasing member (1244) may comprise a piece of
material (e.g., stainless steel, a nickel titanium alloy, or the
like) that may have a first end connected to a bottom wall of the
cannula (1202) and a free end that is biased toward the top wall
(1214) of the channel (1208). In some variations, the biasing
member (1244) may be sized such that the free end of the biasing
member (1244) contacts the top wall (1214) of the cannula. When
distal tip of the tongue (1204) is advanced out of the outlet
(1212), the tongue (1204) may deflect the biasing member (1244)
away from the top wall (1214) to allow the tongue (1204) to pass
between the biasing member (1244) and the top wall (1214). When the
tongue (1204) is positioned between the biasing member (1244) and
the top wall (1214) (e.g., when